Table 3 Meta-analysis evaluating the association between serum adropin levels and T2DM based on several subgroups and the overall analysis. (All analysis was done using random effects model. P-value of effect < 0.05)

Overall

15

-0.60 (-0.70 to -0.49)

< 0.001

2699.62

< 0.001

99.5

Study location

Asia

14

-0.54 (-0.64 to -0.44)

< 0.001

2624.06

< 0.001

99.5

< 0.001

Europe

1

-2.84 (-3.45 to -2.23)

< 0.001

0.00

-

-

Diabetes complications

0.08

None (healthy participants)

9

-0.04 (-0.06 to -0.01)

0.002

223.11

< 0.001

96.4

Microvascular complications

5

-0.83 (-1.70 to 0.05)

0.064

338.84

< 0.001

98.8

Metabolic disorders^*

3

-0.18 (-0.48, 0.11)

0.22

22.8

< 0.001

91.2

Macrovascular complications

2

-1.76 (-3.82, 0.3)

0.09

36.64

< 0.001

97.3

Age and sex adjustment

Yes

5

-0.90 (-0.70 to -0.49)

0.010

143.03

< 0.001

97.2

0.372

No

10

-0.58 (-0.71 to -0.45)

< 0.001

1949.42

< 0.001

99.55

BMI adjustment

< 0.001

Yes

3

-0.69 (-1.45 to 0.06)

0.072

38.63

< 0.001

94.8

No

12

-0.67 (-0.79 to -0.54)

< 0.001

2027.83

< 0.001

99.5