Association between apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and the risk of coronary artery disease in Chinese population: evidence from a meta-analysis of 40 studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphism and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk which developed inconsistent conclusions. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship in Chinese population, we performed this meta-analysis.

Methods

Databases, including PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, CBMdisc and CNKI, were searched to get the genetic association studies. Additionally, hand searching of the references of identified articles were performed. All the statistical tests were performed using Review Manager 5.1.2 and Stata 11.0.

Results

We identified a total of 40 studies, including 4,564 CAD cases and 3,985 controls. The results showed evidence for significant association between ApoE ?4 allele and CAD risk (for ?2/?4 vs. ?3/?3: OR?=?1.86, 95% CI?=?1.42-2.43, p<0.00001; for ?3/?4 vs. ?3/?3: OR?=?2.34, 95% CI?=?2.07-2.65, p<0.00001; for ?4/?4 vs. ?3/?3: OR?=?2.89, 95% CI?=?1.87-4.47, p<0.00001; for ?4 allele vs. ?3 allele: OR?=?2.11, 95% CI?=?1.91-2.35, p<0.00001).

Conclusions

The present meta-analysis suggests an association between ApoE ?4 allele and increased risk of CAD in Chinese population. However, due to the small sample size in most of the included studies and the selection bias existed in some studies, the results should be interpreted with caution.

SUBMITTER: Yin YW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3691255 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature