MTHFR C677T mutation increased the risk of Ischemic Stroke, especially in large-artery atherosclerosis in adults: an updated meta-analysis from 38 researches

Background: To date, many publications have evaluated the correlation between the Ethylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) C677T and Ischemic Stroke susceptibility in adults. However, the results remain inconclusive. The meta-analysis was performed to resolve the problem. Methods: Based on 38 studies, dichotomous data were presented as the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: This study found, the carriers of the MTHFR 677CT variation were more likely to increase the risk of Ischemic Stroke susceptibility in all over pooled population, including Asian and European, but not in African population (Europe: TT vs. CC+TC: OR = 1.364 95% CI = 1.010-1.841 p = 0.043; Asia subgroup: T vs. C: OR = 1.245, 95% CI = 1.141-1.358, p < 0.001; Africa: T vs. C: OR = 1.202, 95% CI = 0.990-1.459, p = 0.062). Among etiology stratified analysis, only large-artery atherosclerosis subgroups had a significant different, and the p value was less than 0.01 in all genetic models (T vs. C: OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.09-1.52, p = 0.002; TT+TC vs. CC: OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.06-1.51, p = 0.009; TT vs. CC+TC: OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.19-2.19, p = 0.002). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that MTHFR C677T mutation increased the risk of Ischemic Stroke in adults, especially in large-artery atherosclerosis.