title: PNPLA3 rs738409 Polymorphism Associated with Hepatic Steatosis and Advanced Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus: A Meta-Analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The recognition of a correlation between patatin-like phospholipase domain containing-protein 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 (C>G) and the severity of liver steatosis or fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) has not reached a consensus. This meta-analysis sought to investigate with accuracy the association between the PNPLA3 rs738409 (C>G) polymorphism and liver steatosis and advanced fibrosis in CHC patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a comprehensive literature search from the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases up to December 31, 2014. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 12.0 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The meta-analysis revealed the severity of liver fibrosis was significantly higher in CHC patients with PNPLA3 rs738409 GG in Caucasians (versus CC+CG OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.57 to 3.35; p<0.05) but not Asian populations. In Caucasians, liver steatosis was also more severe in CHC patients with rs738409 GG (versus CC+CG; OR, 4.33; 95% CI, 2.59 to 7.22; p<0.05). The sensitivity analysis indicated the results of this meta-analysis were stable and no publication bias was detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PNPLA3 rs738409 (C>G) was associated with the risk of both advanced liver fibrosis and steatosis in patients with CHC, especially among Caucasian populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Jia-Hao
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, The Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Ming-Que
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Qing-Ling
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Tao
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Jin-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000235:genetics*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000235:genetics*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000235:genetics*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics; D000217:Acyltransferases; D054512:Phospholipases A2, Calcium-Independent
chemical_list: D008049:Lipase; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C533682:PNPLA3 protein, human; D000217:Acyltransferases; D054512:Phospholipases A2, Calcium-Independent
keywords: Advanced liver fibrosis; Fatty liver; Hepatitis C, chronic; Meta-analysis; Patatin-like phospholipase domain containing protein 3 rs738409