Associations between tumor necrosis factor alpha gene -238 G/A and -308 G/A polymorphisms and the risk of pneumoconiosis: update of a meta-analysis. (November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yin, Yan-Wei; Wu, Zhao-Guo; Sun, Qian-Qian; Hu, Ai-Min; Wang, Qi; Liu, Hong-Li
• Is Part Of: Current medical research and opinion. Volume 29:Number 11(2013:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1435
• Page End: 1442
• Publication Date: 2013-11
• Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; Therapeutics -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1185/03007995.2013.831817
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-7995

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ss1"> <title>Objectives:</title> <p>Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene (-238 G/A [rs361525] and -308 G/A [rs1800629]) polymorphisms have been extensively studied in relation to various diseases, several epidemiologic studies have been performed to investigate the associations of TNF-α gene polymorphisms with pneumoconiosis; however, the results of these studies were not entirely consistent. In an effort to clarify earlier inconclusive results, we performed this meta-analysis of case–control genetic association studies.</p> </sec> <sec id="ss2"> <title>Methods:</title> <p>We identified eligible studies by searching the relevant databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CBMdisc, CNKI, and Google Scholar, until February 15, 2013. Additionally, hand searching of the references of identified articles were performed. Heterogeneity and publication bias across studies were determined and the meta-analysis was performed by Stata 11.0.</p> </sec> <sec id="ss3"> <title>Results:</title> <p>Fourteen articles involving 20 studies were included in the final meta-analysis, covering a total of 1935 pneumoconiosis cases and 3753 controls. The results showed evidence for significant association between TNF-α gene -308 G/A polymorphism and pneumoconiosis risk, suggesting that TNF-α gene -308 A allele may be a risk factor for pneumoconiosis (for A allele vs. G allele: OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.10–1.81, <italic>p</italic> = 0.01; for A/A + G/A vs. G/G: OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.21–1.91, <italic>p</italic> < 0.01). For TNF-α gene -238 G/A polymorphism, no significant association was found between this genetic variation and pneumoconiosis risk.</p> </sec> <sec id="ss4"> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>This meta-analysis indicates that TNF-α gene -308 G/A polymorphism is associated with an increased pneumoconiosis risk.</p> </sec> </abstract>