Association between the FGB gene polymorphism and ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis

To clarify the relationship between the beta-fibrinogen (FGB) genetic polymorphism (-148C>T) and ischemic stroke, we identified studies by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CKNI) databases. Data from eligible studies were extracted and subjected to meta-analysis. Publication bias was tested using a funnel plot. We identified 12 independent case-control studies containing 1536 ischemic stroke patients and 1329 control subjects. Our results showed that the -148C>T polymorphism in the FGB gene was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke [CC vs (TT+CT), odds ratio = 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59-0.80, P < 0.0001; TT vs (CC+CT), odds ratio = 3.01, 95% CI = 1.29-7.05; P = 0.01; T vs C, odds ratio = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.15-1.52, P < 0.0001] by a meta-analysis. The results of our meta-analysis suggested that the -148C>T polymorphism in the FGB gene is a susceptibility marker of ischemic stroke.