The Relationship between Natriuretic Peptide Precursor a Gene T2238C Polymorphism and Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis

Single studies attempting to associate ANP gene T2238C (rs5065) polymorphism with hypertension have so far reported inconclusive results. We therefore aimed to evaluate this association via a meta-analysis. Data on 7 studies with a total of 4068 subjects were available and analyzed using the random-effects model with assessment of heterogeneity and publication bias. Overall comparison of 2238C with 2238T yielded a 23% reduced, albeit nonsignificant, risk for hypertension (95% CI: 0.38-1.59; P = .485), while accompanying significant heterogeneity (I(2) = 88.3%) and publication bias (P = .051). Subgroup analysis by study design demonstrated opposite associations between population-based (OR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.13-0.80; P = .015) and hospital-based studies (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 0.79-1.68; P = .454). Further meta-regression analysis exclusively indicated the significant influence of study design (P = .042) on heterogeneity. Taken together, these findings support the notion that carriers of 2238C allele were at moderate decreased risk of developing hypertension, whereas study design was identified as a potentially significant source of between-study heterogeneity.