Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphisms and the risk of psoriasis: a meta-analysis

Background The gene coding for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been reported to be associated with the development of psoriasis. Aim To evaluate the association of psoriasis risk and ACE polymorphisms. Methods We carried out a retrieval of studies that explored associations between ACE polymorphism and psoriasis, and analysed the genotype frequencies. Results In total, 8 studies with 1242 patients and 1646 controls were included. The genotype frequencies in all studies were in HardyWeinberg equilibrium. After pooling all studies, the results indicated that the I/I genotype was associated with risk of psoriasis (OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.111.80, P=0.005), whereas the I/D genotype may decrease the risk of psoriasis (OR=0.71, 95% CI 0.560.90, P=0.005) in Asian, but not in white populations. Conclusions Our study suggests that ACE polymorphism are associated with the risk of psoriasis in Asians, especially the I/I genotype and I allele. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.