Association between ADAM33 S2 and V4 polymorphisms and susceptibility to allergic rhinitis: A meta-analysis

Background: It has been reported that ADAM33 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 33) polymorphisms might be associated with susceptibility to allergic rhinitis (AR). Objective: Owing to mixed and inconclusive results, we conducted a meta-analysis to systematically summarise and clarify the association between ADAM33 S2, V4, T1, T2 and T+1 polymorphisms and AR risk. Methods/results: A systematic search of studies on the association of ADAM33 polymorphisms with susceptibility to AR was conducted in Pubmed and Embase. A total of five case-control studies with 1251 patients and 1634 controls were included. Meta-analysis indicated an association between the ADAM33 S2 and AR in allele comparison (G/C: OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.08-1.82, P=0.012), heterozygote comparison (CG/CC: OR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.04-1.48, P=0.015), and dominant comparison (CG+GG/CC: OR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.05-1.85, P=0.023). The meta-analysis also revealed an association between the ADAM33 V4 and AR in allele comparison (G/C: OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.01-2.75, P=0.044). However, no association was found between AR and the ADAM33 T1, T2 and T+1 polymorphisms in any gene model comparison. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that the ADAM33 S2 and V4 polymorphisms confer susceptibility to AR. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to limited sample and heterogeneity. Large-scale and well-designed studies are needed to validate our findings. (C) 2015 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.