Meta-analysis of Association Between the +49A/G Polymorphism of Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen-4 and Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy

Results : A total of 14 studies were involved in this meta-analysis, including 1128 cases and 2539 controls. Overall, we found a significant association between CTLA-4 +49A/G polymorphism and TAO (G versus A: OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.40–1.92, p < 0.00001; GG versus AG + AA: OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.59–2.57, p < 0.00001; GG + AG versus AA: OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.66–2.43, p < 0.00001; GG versus AA: OR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.83–4.10, p < 0.00001; AG versus AA: OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.42–2.15, p < 0.00001).

The results were not materially altered after the studies which did not fulfill Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were excluded. Significant association was also detected in both Caucasian and Asian populations in subgroup analysis divided by different ethnicity. Conclusion : Our meta-analysis supports the association between the CTLA-4 +49A/G polymorphism and TAO.