Lack of association of IL-6 polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis/type 1 diabetes: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether the interleukin (IL)-6 –174 single nucleotide polymorphism confers susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and type 1 diabetes (T1D) in multiple ethnic populations.MethodsA meta-analysis was conducted on the association between the IL-6 –174 polymorphism and RA/T1D susceptibility, using fixed and random effects models.ResultsThirteen studies were included in the meta-analysis: RA: seven studies, including six European and one Asian population; T1D: six studies, including five European and one South American population. There was no significant association both in allele and genotype comparisons between the IL-6 –174 polymorphism and RA/T1D in all study subjects. Moreover, meta-analysis stratified by ethnicity indicated no significant association between the gene and RA/T1D.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that the IL-6 –174 polymorphism might not confer susceptibility to RA/T1D.