Polymorphisms of the ADAM33 gene and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk: a meta-analysis

Background The T1 (rs2280091), S1 (rs3918396) and S2 (rs528557) polymorphisms in a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM33) gene has been implicated in susceptibility of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But, a number of studies have reported inconclusive results. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between T1 (rs2280091), S1 (rs3918396) and S2 (rs528557) polymorphisms in ADAM33 gene and COPD risk by meta-analysis. Methods We searched Pubmed database, Embase database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database and Wanfang database, covering all studies till September 5, 2012. Statistical analysis was performed using software METAGEN (STATA 12.0) and Revman5.0. Results A total of 2139 COPD cases and 3765 controls in 10 case-control studies were included in this study. The results showed that S2 (rs528557) and T1 (rs2280091) polymorphisms did not result in an increased or a decreased risk of COPD. The analysis described in this report demonstrated that S1 (rs3918396) polymorphism (GG + AG vs AA) was significantly associated with the total and Asian. Odds ratio (OR)total = 1.27 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.56, P = 0.03], ORAsian = 1.44 (95% CI 1.13–1.83, P = 0.003) but not with Caucasians. Conclusions This meta-analysis suggested that S1 (rs3918396) polymorphism of ADAM33 is associated with increased risk of COPD in Asian (China) but not in Caucasians. Future studies are needed to validate our conclusions.