Aims: This meta-analysis was aimed to investigate the association between -572G/C interleukin (IL)-6 gene polymorphism and occurrence risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods: Literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Springer and Google Scholar up to November 2018. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by Revman 5.3.
Results: A total of six case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. In the allele model (G vs C), homozygous gene model (GG vs CC), recessive gene model (GG vs GC + CC), and dominant gene model (GG + GC vs CC), the pooled estimate indicated there was significant association between -572G/C IL-6 gene polymorphism and risk of RA. However, no significant statistical results were found in meta-analyses of heterozygote gene models.
Conclusions: The -572G/C IL-6 gene polymorphism is associated with the risk of RA. The GG genotype may be the main contributor in increasing susceptibility to RA.
Keywords: IL-6; meta-analysis polymorphisms; rheumatoid arthritis.
© 2019 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.