Association between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Polymorphisms and Pre-Eclampsia Susceptibility: An Updated Meta-Analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjectives: The aim of this study was to assess the genetic association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms and the risk of pre-eclampsia (PE).Methods: A systematic literature search of several databases (PubMed, Embase, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)) was conducted for case–control trials comparing VEGF polymorphisms (+936C/T, −634G/C, −2578C/A, and −1154G/A) with the risk of PE. Meta-analysis was performed using the Stata 12.0 software.Results: Twenty-three case–control studies on a total of 2597 PE patients and 3075 controls were included in our meta-analysis. The +936C/T polymorphism was observed to be associated with the risk of PE in the overall population (T vs. C: odds ratios (OR) = 1.434, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.120–1.836, P = .004). However, the −634G/C, −2578C/A, and −1154G/A polymorphisms showed no association with the risk of PE. A subgroup analysis based on ethnicity found that the +936C/T polymorphism was associated with the risk of PE in both Europeans and Asians. Furthermore, the −634G/C polymorphism was found to be associated with the risk of PE in Europeans (C vs. G: OR = 1.428, 95% CI = 1.141–1.778, P = .002). The polymorphisms at other loci were not associated with the risk of PE.Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that VEGF +936C/T polymorphism, rather than −634G/C, −2578C/A, or −1154G/A polymorphisms, is associated with the risk of PE in the overall study population. However, the −634G/C polymorphism may be associated with the risk of developing PE in Europeans.