Association between TNF-a promoter -308G/A polymorphism and essential hypertension in the Asian population: A meta-analysis

Objective: The results of studies on the association between tumor necrosis factor-a -308G/A (TNF-a -308G/A) polymorphism, and susceptibility to essential hypertension are controversial. To derive a more precise estimation, we conducted a meta-analysis of all similar articles. Methods: The summary effect odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were obtained. Funnel plots and Egger’s test were used to estimate publication bias, and heterogeneity was assessed by the chi-square-based Q-test and I2 test. Results: Nine studies (with 1437 cases and 1487 controls) were included. In the overall analysis, the combined results showed that there were significant differences in genotype distribution between essential hypertension cases and controls, AA+GA versus GG (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.25–1.88, p