Byber K Lison D Verougstraete V Dressel H Hotz P 2016 BACKGROUND Cadmium (Cd) is abundantly documented as a metal mainly affecting tubular function both in workers and in the general population indirectly exposed via the environment. Results from epidemiological studies linking Cd exposure and risk of progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) are, however, conflicting. OBJECTIVES To perform a systematic review of the association between Cd exposure and CKD. METHODS A systematic appraisal of publications found in MEDLINE (1946-2014), EMBASE (1974-2012) and an in-house database (1986-2013) was conducted. Additional studies were searched for by contacting experts and checking reference lists. Search terms used key and text words. No language restriction was applied. Cohort, case-control and case-series with follow-up including individual and objective assessment of occupational or environmental exposure were eligible. Studies were selected and data extracted by two independent reviewers using predefined forms. Study characteristics and results were extracted to structured tables. Synthesis was qualitative and results appraised with causality criteria. RESULTS Thirty-four exposed groups, totaling more than 3000 participants, were eligible. Overall, results disclosed no convincing evidence supporting a risk of progression to CKD in populations exposed to Cd. Lack of information about methods, risk of bias and heterogeneity were identified as limitations and precluded conducting a meta-analysis. Publication bias did not appear as a major problem. CONCLUSIONS This qualitative systematic review does not support the contention that human exposure to Cd leads to progressive CKD. https://sonar.ch/global/documents/142269 eng info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.3109/10408444.2015.1076375 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pmid/26513605 Critical reviews in toxicology. - 2016 Albuminuria cohort environmental exposure follow-up glomerular filtration rate kidney failure occupational disease proteinuria Cadmium Cadmium Compounds Disease Progression Dose-Response Relationship, Drug Environmental Exposure Humans Meta-Analysis as Topic Occupational Exposure Renal Insufficiency, Chronic Risk Factors Cadmium or cadmium compounds and chronic kidney disease in workers and the general population: a systematic review. http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501