TNF Polymorphisms in Patients with Behçet Disease: A Meta-analysis

Touma, Zahi; Farra, Chantal; Hamdan, Ayad; Shamseddeen, Wael; Uthman, Imad; Hourani, Hala; Arayssi, Thurayya

doi:10.1016/j.arcmed.2010.02.002

« Previous Next »Archives of Medical Research
Volume 41, Issue 2 , Pages 142-146, February 2010

TNF Polymorphisms in Patients with Behçet Disease: A Meta-analysis

Zahi Touma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Toronto, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Chantal Farra
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Ayad Hamdan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
Wael Shamseddeen
- Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University, Division of Internal Medicine, Green Bay Road, North Chicago, Illinois
Imad Uthman
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Hala Hourani
- Chronic Care Center, Genetic Lab, Hazmieh, Lebanon
Thurayya Arayssi
- Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar, Education City, Doha Qatar
- Address reprint requests to: Thurayya Arayssi M.D., Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar, Education City, Doha Qatar; Phone: +974-492-8340: FAX: +974-492-8377:

Received 22 August 2009; accepted 17 December 2009. published online 25 March 2010.

(ARCMED-D-09-00397)

Background and Aims

Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene at the locations −308, −238, −863, −857 and −1031 have been studied in various ethnic groups for possible association with Behçet's disease. The aim of this meta-analysis is to examine the association between polymorphism in the TNF gene at the locations −308, −238, −863, −857 and −1031 and Behçet's disease.

Methods

A literature review was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for original studies published in English up to October 31, 2009 and that examined the association of the TNF-α promoter polymorphisms with Behçet's disease. All pooled odds ratios (OR) were derived from random-effects model with its 95% confidence intervals (CI). We assessed statistical heterogeneity among studies using Cochrane Q test and by calculating I². The Cochrane collaboration's software program, RevMan 5 was used to prepare and complete this review.

Results

The literature search resulted in 13 studies. Ten studies met the included criteria and thus were selected. Overall, −1031C (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.09–1.68), −238A (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.12–2.04) and −857T (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.58–0.98) had a significant association with Behcet's disease. The pooled estimates for the other polymorphisms were not statistically significantly associated with Behcet's disease; −308A and −863A.