A Meta-Analysis of IL-13 Polymorphisms and Pediatric Asthma Risk

BACKGROUND: IL13–1112C/T and +2044A/G polymorphisms have been reported to be correlated with pediatric asthma susceptibility, but study results were still debatable. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted. MATERIAL/METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate the strength of association in the random-effects model or fixed-effects model. RESULTS: Fourteen case-control studies with 4710 asthma cases and 6086 controls were included in this meta-analysis. IL13–1112C/T and +2044A/G polymorphisms were significantly associated with an increased risk of pediatric asthma (OR=1.14, 95% CI 1.01–1.28, P=0.04, I(2)=0%; OR=1.20, 95% CI 1.09–1.32, P<0.01, I(2)=0%), respectively. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, IL13–1112C/T polymorphism was significantly associated with pediatric asthma risk in whites (OR=1.29, 95% CI 1.02–1.63, P=0.03, I(2)=16%). IL13 +2044A/G polymorphism was significantly associated with pediatric asthma risk in Asians (OR=1.21, 95% CI 1.10–1.34, P<0.01, I(2)=24%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that IL13–1112C/T and +2044A/G polymorphisms contribute to the development of pediatric asthma.