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Abstract
Objectives: Published studies have shown conflicting results concerning the association between the –169T/C promoter polymorphism in the Fc receptor-like 3 (FCRL3) gene and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study we conducted an up-to-date meta-analysis to examine the relationship.
Method: We searched the PubMed database for all papers published up to 20 April 2012. Overall, 18 case–control studies with 12 620 cases and 12 613 controls were retrieved based on the search criteria for RA susceptibility related to the FCRL3 –169T/C polymorphism. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of this association. Publication bias was assessed using the Egger test.
Results: We found that the FCRL3 –169T/C polymorphism increased the risk for RA overall in genetic models (allelic contrast: OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03–1.14, p = 0.001; homozygote comparison: OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.08–1.34, p = 0.001; dominant genetic model: OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05, p = 0.001). Stratified analysis by race also showed a significant positive association with Asians and Caucasians. Subgroup analysis of rheumatoid factor (RF) revealed a slightly positive relationship between the FCRL3 –169T/C polymorphism and RF-positive RA risk. No obvious evidence of publication bias was detected in the overall analysis.
Conclusion: Our study indicates that the FCRL3 –169T/C polymorphism is significantly associated with increased RA risk.