Purpose The association between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphism and the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) remains controversial. The present meta-analysis was performed to derive a precise estimate of the relationship. Method(s) We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science data-bases for studies related to the association between the ApoE genotype and the risk of RPL. We estimated the summary odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess the association. Result(s) Seven studies, including 2,090 RPL cases and 742 control samples, were identified. The results showed a significant association between ApoE E4 mutation and RPL risk (for E4 allele: OR =1.98, 95 %CI =1.14-3.43, P=0.499; for E2E3 vs. E3E3: OR =1.33, 95%CI =1.12-1.42, P=0.008; for E2E4 vs. E3E3: OR =1.26, 95 % CI =1.07-1.49, P=0.005).
Conclusion(s)The meta-analysis suggests an association between ApoE E4 mutation and increased risk of RPL.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.