Association between miR‑499 rs3746444 polymorphism and the risk of ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta‑analysis

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore the generic association between the miR-499 (rs3746444) polymorphism and the risk of ischemic stroke (IS). A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed, and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to quantitatively estimate the association. A total of 8 studies (involving 3,400 IS cases and 3,652 controls) were included in the present meta-analysis. The results of the allelic model (G allele vs. A allele) revealed a statistically significant association between the miR-499 (rs3746444) polymorphism and the risk of IS; the OR was 1.16 (95% CI, 1.00-1.34; P<0.05). Similarly, the results of the recessive model (GG vs. AG + AA), the heterozygote model (AG vs. AA) and the homozygote model (GG vs. AA) were statistically significant; the ORs were 1.36 (95% CI, 1.05-1.77; P<0.05), 1.11 (95% CI, 1.00-1.23; P<0.05) and 1.42 (95% CI, 1.09-1.86; P<0.05), respectively. However, the dominant model (GG + AG vs. AA) did not exhibit any significant differences; the OR was 1.16 (95% CI, 0.99-1.36; P>0.05). The results of the Q test indicated that the heterogeneity of the allelic model (I 2 =63%, P=0.01), as well as that of the dominant model (I 2 =60%, P=0.02), was relatively large. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis was performed; the I 2 of each model then decreased to <50%. Notably, by sensitivity analysis, both the allelic model and the dominant model exhibited a statistically significant association between the miR-499 (rs3746444) polymorphism and the risk of IS. Egger's test did not reveal any publication bias for any of the models. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that the miR-499 (rs3746444) polymorphism may contribute to an increased risk of IS.