A meta-analysis of apolipoprotein E gene ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism for gallbladder stone disease.
BACKGROUND
Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between apolipoprotein (Apo) E gene polymorphisms and gallbladder stone disease (GSD) across ethnic populations; however, the results are often inconsistent. This meta-analysis aims to comprehensively evaluate the influence of a common ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism in Apo E gene on the risk of gallbladder stone disease.


METHODS
Data were analyzed using the RevMan software (V5.1) and a random-effects model was applied irrespective of between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias was weighed using the fail-safe number.


RESULTS
There were 17 study populations totaling 1773 cases and 2751 controls for ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism of Apo E gene. Overall comparison of alleles ε2 with ε3 in all study populations yielded a 16% decreased risk for GSD (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.68-1.05; P=0.31; I(2) =13%), and comparison of alleles ε4 with ε3 yielded a 25% increased risk (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.97-1.61; P=0.0003; I(2) =63%). Subgroup analysis by study design indicated that the magnitude of association in hospital-based studies was largely significantly strengthened for ε4 allelic model (odds ratio [OR]  =1.46; 95% CI: 1.05-2.02; p=0.0007; I(2) =65%). Subgroup analysis by age of controls indicated a remarkably significant elevation in the magnitude of association in age >50 subgroups in ε4 allelic model (OR=1.50; 95% CI: 1.03-2.19; p=0.0009; I(2) =72%). Moreover, subgroup analysis by cases gender indicated a reduction in the magnitude of association in male<30% studies for E2/2 genotypic model (OR=0.32; 95% CI: 0.07-1.49; p=0.16; I(2) =45%).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results reveal that Apo E gene ε4 allele is a risk factor of gallbladder stone disease, especially in elder people and Chinese population.
Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Pei
P
Xue
Wen-Quan
WQ
Niu
Zhao-Yan
ZY
Jiang
Min-Hua
MH
Zheng
Jian
J
Fei
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D053329:Apolipoprotein E2 / Q000235:genetics*; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3 / Q000235:genetics*; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D044466:Asian People; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008957:Models, Genetic; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012307:Risk Factors
D053329:Apolipoprotein E2; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D020033:Protein Isoforms