Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor gene and susceptibility to Behcet’s disease: An updated meta-analysis

PROPOSE: Studies investigating the association between the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene polymorphisms and Behcet’s disease (BD) report conflicting results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the association between TNF gene polymorphisms and BD. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify all relevant studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the strength of the association. RESULTS: A total of 16 articles, involving 1,708 patients with BD and 1,910 healthy controls, were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, a significant association was found between BD and the TNF −308A/G polymorphism (OR=0.730, 95% CI=0.608–0.877, p=0.001). Meta-analysis of TNF −238A/G showed significant association with BD (OR=1.512, 95% CI=1.155–1.979, p=0.003). The TNF −1031C allele showed significant association with BD (OR=1.549, 95% CI=1.190–2.015, p=0.001). Similarly, the meta-analysis showed a significant association of the TNF −857T/C polymorphism with BD (OR=0.758, 95% CI=0.593–0.968, p=0.027). Stratification by ethnicity revealed that the −308A/G and −857T/C polymorphisms were associated with BD in the Asian group, while the −238A/G and −1031C/T polymorphisms were associated with BD in the Caucasian population. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our meta-analysis suggest that TNF (−308A/G, −238A/G, −1031C/T, and −857T/C) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to BD.