XXXX gene polymorphism and carotid artery wall thickness: a meta-analysis.

@entity336 @entity1289 @entity121
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Many studies have investigated the association between the @entity1289 ( @entity1289 ) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and carotid artery @entity121 ( @entity121 ); however, most studies were small and conducted in selective samples. The aim of this study was to evaluate this association by performing a meta-analysis on published articles. METHODS: We searched Medline for articles studying the association between the @entity1289 I/D polymorphism and carotid @entity121 . Twenty-six studies were found; 23 articles containing 9833 subjects were qualified to enter the meta-analysis. We classified those articles on the basis of their samples into high-risk and low-risk populations and white and Asian ethnic groups. @entity121 was used as a continuous variable, and data were analyzed with the Cochrane Review Manager. RESULTS: A significant positive association was present between the D allele and common carotid @entity121 (weighted mean difference between @entity336 and II genotypes, 0.23 mm x 10(-1); P<0.01). The association was stronger among high-risk populations. The point estimates of @entity336 versus II were higher than those of ID versus II. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis showed evidence of a positive association between the D allele of the @entity1289 gene and common carotid @entity121 . The overall results were concordant in both ethnic groups.
