The Relationship Between Hepatic Lipase Gene Variant and Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration A Meta-analysis

IMPORTANCE To date, no consistency exists across studies that have evaluated the relationship between hepatic lipase gene (LIPC) rs10468017 variant and advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). OBJECTIVE To summarize all relevant evidence for a relationship between LIPC variant and advanced AMD. DATA SOURCES The PubMed and Embase databases were searched for studies potentially eligible in any language published up to September 15, 2013. STUDY SELECTION Case-control studies of 2 or more comparison groups that included patients with advanced AMD (choroidal neovascularization or geographic atrophy). DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Allele frequencies and genotype distributions of rs10468017 variant. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were estimated under different genetic models using meta-analytic methods. A stratified analysis by advanced AMD subtypes and race/ethnicity was performed, as well as a sensitivity analysis. RESULTS Data from 10 case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. The rs10468017 variant (C. T) showed significant summary ORs of 0.81 (95% CI, 0.75-0.88), 0.83 (95% CI, 0.70-0.98), and 0.60 (95% CI, 0.44-0.81) under the allelic (T vs C), heterozygous (TC vs CC), and homozygous (TT vs CC) models, respectively. Carrying at least 1 copy of the T allele decreased the risk of choroidal neovascularization and geographic atrophy by 20%(OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.74-0.87) and 29% (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.59-0.86), respectively. The pooled OR for white race/ethnicity under an allelic model was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.74-0.87). The sensitivity analysis indicated the robustness of our findings, and no evidence of publication bias was observed in our meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Our meta-analysis indicates that LIPC rs10468017 variant is associated with a reduced risk of advanced AMD. This finding may lead to insights regarding the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of AMD.