An updated meta-analysis of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) rs7574865 G/T polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis risk in an Asian population. (November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, X; Zhou, Z; Zhang, Y; Yang, H; Ren, K
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of rheumatology. Volume 43:Number 6(2014)
• Page Start: 477
• Page End: 480
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Subjects: Rheumatology -- Periodicals; Arthritis; Rheumatic Diseases; 616.72005
• DOI: 10.3109/03009742.2014.918174
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-9742

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold>Objectives:</bold> Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (<italic>STAT4</italic>) transmits signals induced by the cytokines interleukin (IL)-12, IL-23, and interferon (IFN)-γ, which play an important role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies have shown conflicting results concerning the association between the rs7574865 G/T polymorphism in the <italic>STAT4</italic> gene and RA in an Asian population. We have performed a meta-analysis to examine this relationship.</p> <p> <bold>Method:</bold> We searched PubMed and WanFang databases for all papers published up to 5 October 2013. Eight case–control studies with 6029 cases and 4685 controls were retrieved based on the search criteria for RA susceptibility related to the <italic>STAT4</italic> rs7574865 G/T polymorphism. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of this association. Publication bias was assessed using Begg's test.</p> <p> <bold>Results:</bold> A significant association was found between the <italic>STAT4</italic> rs7574865 G/T polymorphism and RA risk (e.g. GG+GT vs. TT: RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95–0.97; GG+TT vs. GT: RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.97). Subgroup analysis of rheumatoid factor (RF) status revealed a protective relationship between the <italic>STAT4</italic> rs7574865 G/T polymorphism and RF<sup>+</sup>/RF<sup>−</sup> RA risk. A similar relationship was detected in the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) status subgroup. No clear evidence of publication bias was detected in the overall analysis.</p> <p> <bold>Conclusions:</bold> Our study indicates that the <italic>STAT4</italic> rs7574865 G/T polymorphism was significantly associated with a decreased RA risk in an Asian population.</p> </abstract>