[Association between the PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism and chronic hepatitis B in a Qingdao Han Chinese population]

To investigate the association between the PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism and chronic hepatitis B (CH[B) in a Han Chinese population residing in Qingdao.

Peripheral blood samples were collected from 185 CHB patients and 164 healthy controls and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing to determine the PNPLA3 genotypes. The relative risk of the rs738409 polymorphism for CHB was estimated by calculating the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval.

The rs738409 G allele frequency was significantly different between the CHB and control groups (31.9% vs.21.9% respectively, P less than 0.05). Compared to he rs738409 C allele, the G allele was associated with an increased risk of developing CHB (OR =1.67, 95% CI:1.18-2.34, P =0.003). Logistic regression model analysis, with adjustment for confounding factors, indicated that carriers of the PNPLA3 rs738409 GG + GC genotype had increased risk of CHB than carriers of the CC genotype (OR =1.76 ,95% CI:1.14-2.71, P =0.011).

Qingdao Han Chinese who are carriers of the rs738409 G allele are at increased risk of CHB.