title: Meta-analysis: a functional polymorphism in the gene encoding for activity of the serotonin transporter protein is not associated with the irritable bowel syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serotonin is associated with symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome, its action is terminated by the serotonin transporter protein.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the association between a functional polymorphism in the gene encoding for activity of the serotonin transporter protein and the irritable bowel syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Meta-analysis of studies identified through a Medline, PubMed and Web of Science search, describing the prevalence of a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene creating long and short alleles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight eligible studies described a total of 1034 patients with the irritable bowel syndrome, and 1377 healthy controls. Presence of the short allele is not associated with an increased risk for the irritable bowel syndrome: OR 1.0; 95% CI: 0.7-1.4 for homozygous subjects, and OR 1.0; 95% CI: 0.8-1.2 for homozygous subjects and heterozygotes together. Although Caucasians and Asians had diverging genotypic frequencies, no association with the shot allele and irritable bowel syndrome was observed in subgroups: Asians OR 1.2; 95% CI: 0.9-1.6 and OR 1.1; 95% CI: 0.2-5.9; Caucasians OR 0.9; 95% CI: 0.5-1.7 and OR 0.9; 95% CI: 0.7-1.2, respectively, for homozygous subjects alone and for homozygous subjects and heterozygotes together.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A genetic polymorphism in the gene encoding for activity of the serotonin transporter protein is not associated with the irritable bowel.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. l.vankerkhoven@mdl.umcn.nl
authors: L A S
authors: LA
authors: Van Kerkhoven
authors: R J F
authors: RJ
authors: Laheij
authors: J B M J
authors: JB
authors: Jansen
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins