Association between ADAM12 Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis

ADAM12 polymorphisms may be associated with the risk of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), but currently available evidence remains controversial. We performed this meta-analysis to confirm whether ADAM12 polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility of KOA.

A comprehensive literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science was conducted to identify observational studies assessing the association between ADAM12 polymorphisms and susceptibility of KOA. The strength of association was indicated as odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Four types of genetic model (additive model, dominant model, recessive model, and allele model) were evaluated for each included study. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity was performed.

Seven case-control studies comprising a total of 3512 KOA patients and 5405 healthy controls were included in the meta-analysis. A significant association between rs1871054 and increased KOA risk was found in each genetic model. No significant association was found between KOA and rs3740199, rs1044122, or rs1278279 in any genetic model.

Based on the findings of our study, there was a modest but statistically significant association between rs1871054 and risk of KOA in Asian population, while other polymorphisms (rs3740199, rs1044122, or rs1278279) in ADAM12 were not associated with KOA in any population.