The-1082A/G polymorphism in the Interleukin-10 gene and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis

A large number of studies have shown that the -1082A/G polymorphism (rs1800896) in the Interleukin-10 gene (IL-10) is implicated in the susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the results are inconsistent and inconclusive. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between the -1082A/G polymorphism in the IL-10 gene and the RA risk by meta-analysis. A total of 1480 cases and 1413 controls in 10 case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that the G allele carriers (GG + GA) had a 25% decreased risk of RA, when compared with the homozygote M (odds ratio (OR) = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59-0.93). In the analysis in Europeans, significant decreased risks were associated with the G allele carriers (OR = 0.73 and 95% CI: 0.57-0.93 for GG + GA vs. AA). The results from this meta-analysis provide evidence for the association between the IL-10 -1082A/G polymorphism and the risk of RA. To further evaluate gene x gene and gene x environment interactions between the polymorphisms in the IL-10 gene and RA risk, more studies with large groups of patients are required. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.