Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and vasculitis susceptibility: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to vasculitis.MethodsMeta-analyses were conducted on the associations between the −634 C/G, +936 C/T, −1154 A/G, and −2578 A/C polymorphisms of VEGF and vasculitis.ResultsEight studies on VEGF polymorphisms and vasculitis involving 2740 subjects (vasculitis 834, controls 1906) were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed no association between vasculitis and the VEGF −634 C allele (OR = 1.161, 95% CI = 0.921–1.464, p = 0.207) among study subjects. Meta-analysis showed no association between vasculitis and the VEGF + 936 T allele (OR = 1.121, 95% CI = 0.905–1.390, p = 0.295). However, stratification by ethnicity indicated a significant association between the VEGF + 936 T allele and vasculitis in Europeans, but not in Asians (OR = 1.486, 95% CI = 1.038–2.128, p = 0.030; OR = 0.958, 95% CI = 0.773–1.253, p = 0.755). Meta-analysis showed no association between vasculitis and the VEGF −1154 A/G and 2578 A/C polymorphisms.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that the VEGF + 936 T allele is associated with susceptibility to vasculitis in Europeans, but not in Asians.