title: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha G-238A polymorphism and coronary artery disease risk: a meta-analysis of 4,222 patients and 4,832 controls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene G-238A polymorphism and risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) using a meta-analytical approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PubMed and Embase databases were searched for relevant publications up to January 13, 2015. Four authors (XPH, XDZ, XTZ, and ZJZ) independently selected the studies, extracted, and analyzed the data using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. The sensitivity and subgroups analyses were also performed. Either a fixed effects or a random effects model was used to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Finally, ten articles including eleven case-control studies involving 4,222 patients and 4,832 controls were yielded. The results indicated no significant association between G-238A polymorphism and CAD risk (A vs G: OR =1.08, 95% CI =0.89-1.30; AA vs GG: OR =1.15, 95% CI =0.59-2.25; GA vs GG: OR =1.14, 95% CI =0.88-1.48; AA vs [GG + GA]: OR =1.09, 95% CI =0.56-2.14; (GA + AA) vs GG: OR =1.11, 95% CI =0.90-1.38). In the subgroup analyses, similar results were obtained with overall populations. The sensitivity analyses showed that the overall results were robust. No publication bias was detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on current evidence, we can conclude that TNF-α G-238A polymorphism might not be associated with CAD risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Suizhou Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xian-Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and 4th Cadres Ward, General Hospital of Beijing Military Command, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center and Chinese Cochrane Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Joey Sw
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kwong
authors.affiliation: Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xian-Tao
authors.initials: XT
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Suizhou Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhen-Jian
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and 4th Cadres Ward, General Hospital of Beijing Military Command, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wan-Lin
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Wei
keywords: TNF-α; coronary artery disease; coronary heart disease; meta-analysis; polymorphism; tumor necrosis factor-alpha