Effect of the -148C/T, 448G/A, and -854G/A Polymorphisms of the β-Fibrinogen Gene on the Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Chinese Population

Background Several investigations have been performed to examine the influence of the β-fibrinogen (FGβ) gene polymorphisms on the risk of ischemic stroke, but the results of these studies are controversial. Our study aimed at investigating whether the FGβ gene (-148C/T, 448G/A, and -854G/A) polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to ischemic stroke by conducting meta-analysis. Methods Relevant studies were identified from 4 Chinese databases, PUBMED and EMBASE before May 30, 2014. The strength of association was evaluated by the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Inconsistency index and the Cochran's Q statistic were used to check heterogeneity. Publication bias was tested using funnel plots and Egger's regression test. Results Thirty-two independent studies with 4311cases and 4124controls were included. Significant association between -148C/T polymorphism and the risk of ischemic stroke was found in overall analysis and middle-age, but not in young adults and elderly people. Similarly, association was also observed for -854G/A polymorphism, especially in cerebral arterial main trunk infarction (MCI) and cerebral penetrating arterial infarction (PCI). However, no significance was found between 448G/A polymorphism and ischemic stroke in Chinese people; likewise, no evidence of a significant association was observed when stratified according to the subtype of ischemic stroke (MCI and PCI). Conclusions These results suggest that -148C/T and -854G/A polymorphisms probably contribute to susceptibility of ischemic stroke.