Association of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) polymorphisms with Graves' disease: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo quantitatively summarize the association between tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene polymorphisms and Graves' disease.Design and methodsRelevant studies were identified from the following electronic databases: Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Chinese Bio-medicine Database. A meta-analysis of relevant studies was performed.ResultsThis meta-analysis included 10 case-control studies, which included 2271 Graves' disease cases and 2633 controls. The combined results based on all studies showed that there was significant difference in genotype distribution (− 308A/G; − 308G/G; − 863C/C; − 863C/A; − 1031C/T) between Graves' disease and controls. When stratifying for race, statistically significant results were observed in three genotype distribution (− 863C/C; − 863C/A; − 1031C/T) between Graves' disease and controls among Asians. Statistically significant results were observed in only two genotype distribution (− 308A/G; − 308G/G) between Graves' disease and controls among Caucasians.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that TNF-α gene polymorphisms at positions − 308 (G-308A), − 863 (C-863A), and − 1031 (T-1031C) were associated with Graves' disease.