Meta-analysis of the association between angiotensin II receptor, type 1 gene A1166C polymorphism and coronary artery disease in Chinese populations

Background and objective: Many studies have examined the association between the angiotensin II receptor, type 1 (AGTR1) gene A1166C polymorphism and coronary artery disease (CAD); the results, however, remain controversial. Given the accumulation of data, we conducted a meta-analysis of published studies on this association in Chinese. Methods and results: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Wanfang and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases was conducted before January 2012. Data and study quality were assessed in duplicate. Twenty-two studies totaling 3502 CAD patients and 3071 controls were analyzed. Overall, individuals carrying 1166C allele had a remarkably increased risk of CAD compared with those with 1166AA genotype (odds ratio (OR)=1.63; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26-2.1; P<0.0005). In subgroup analyses by geography, the risk magnitude was slightly augmented in northern Chinese (OR=1.76; 95% CI: 1.23-2.52; P=0.002) relative to in southern Chinese (OR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.13-2.14; P=0.007). Grouping studies by average age detected a strong association in studies involving CAD patients aged >= 60 years. Differences in the diagnosis of CAD and source of controls might be potential sources of between-study heterogeneity. Conclusions: Our findings provided strong evidence that AGTR1 gene A1166C polymorphism might be a genetic marker for the development of CAD in Chinese populations, especially in the context of studies with northern and older subjects.