Association between TNF-α -308 G/A polymorphism and COPD susceptibility: a meta-analysis update

The association between TNF-α -308 G/A polymorphism and COPD remains controversial due to insufficiently strict study designs and small group sizes among different studies. In the present study, a meta-analysis update which followed a stricter procedure was performed to obtain a clearer understanding of this association.

A comprehensive database search was conducted to identify the case-control studies published up to July 2015 which reported an association between the TNF-α -308 G/A polymorphism and COPD risk. Data were extracted to calculate pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals under the most appropriate genetic and allelic models. Sensitivity was analyzed, and heterogeneity as well as publication bias was assessed.

Thirty-eight eligible studies, comprising 3,951 COPD cases and 5,110 controls, were included in this study, among which 22 studies comprising 2,067 COPD cases and 2,167 controls were performed in Asians, and 16 studies comprising 1,884 COPD cases and 2,943 controls were in non-Asians. The overall result showed that TNF-α -308 G/A polymorphisms were significantly associated with increased COPD risk in both the codominant genetic and allelic models. Individuals with the GA or AA genotype were more susceptible to COPD development than those with the GG genotype. In addition, individuals with the AA genotype were more susceptible to developing COPD than those with the GA genotype. The subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity supported the results in Asians but not in non-Asians. However, no association was found between TNF-α -308 G/A polymorphisms and COPD susceptibility either in Asians or in non-Asians in the meta-analysis conducted with restriction to former/current smokers.

The present meta-analysis suggested that the TNF-α -308 G/A polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of COPD among Asians but not in non-Asians. Furthermore, individuals with the AA genotype of TNF-α -308 were more susceptible to developing COPD.