title: Association between TNF-δ 238G/A polymorphisms and the risk of ischemic stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke is the second highest cause of morbidity and functional disability around the world. In addition, it is the second most common cause of death worldwide [ 1 ]. However, the genetic pathology of stroke is still unclear. Published data on the association between TNF-a 238G/A polymorphisms and ischemic stroke risk are inconsistent and controversial. To provide a more robust estimate about TNF-a 238G/A polymorphisms on the risk of ischemic stroke, we conducted this meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) to investigate the relationship between TNF-α238G/A polymorphisms and ischemic stroke. Publication bias was tested by Begg's test and inverted funnel plot, and Heterogeneity was checked by Cochran's Q statistic and the inconsistency index (I(2)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are 7 studies that include 1,766 cases and 1,560 controls in this meta-analysis. The results indicated a significant association between TNF-α238G/A polymorphisms and ischemic stroke in overall analysis, Caucasian and Adult. However, statistical association was not observed in Juvenile and Asian.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This meta-analysis suggests that TNF-α238G/A polymorphisms increases the risk of ischemic stroke in Adult, Caucasian, and overall analysis. However, in Juvenile and Asian analysis, significant associations between TNF-α238G/A and ischemic stroke were not found.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
authors.forename: Lian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Guangliang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Juanjuan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Jinjing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Baoyun
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Nong
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D016017:Odds Ratio; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha