Association of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Gene G-308A Polymorphism with Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Meta-Analysis

Published data on the association between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) G-308A gene polymorphism and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) risk are inconclusive. To clarify the association of TNF-alpha G-308A gene poly-morphism and DCM, a meta-analysis of case-control studies was performed. Some databases, such as PubMed and Embase, were searched to indentify related studies. Search terms included dilated cardiomyopathy, tumor necrosis factor-alpha or TNF-alpha or TNF alpha or tumor necrosis factor alpha, and polymorphism or mutation. Eight case-control studies involving 1487 DCM cases and 1734 normal controls were included in the meta-analysis to assess the purported association between the TNF-alpha G-308A gene polymorphism and the risk of DCM. A dominant genetic model was used and the comparison of GA/AA genotype versus GG genotype was performed in the present meta-analysis. The odds ratio was 1.42 (95% confidence interval: 1.05, 1.93, P = 0.02), manifesting frequency of the TNF-alpha-308 GA/AA genotype was higher in DCM patients than the control group. TNF-alpha G-308A nucleotide transition might be associated with the risk of DCM.