Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore the association of miRNA-146 and miRNA-499 polymorphisms with inflammatory arthritis. METHODS: A systematic search of studies on the association of miRNA-146 and miRNA-499 polymorphisms with inflammatory arthritis susceptibility was conducted in PubMed, Web of science, Elsevier ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library. Eventually, 18 published studies were included. The strength of association between miRNA-146/499 polymorphisms and inflammatory arthritis susceptibility was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) with its 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 18 case-control studies, consisting of 3385 inflammatory arthritis patients and 4584 controls, were included in the meta-analysis. This meta-analysis showed significant association between miRNA-499 rs3746444 polymorphism and inflammatory arthritis susceptibility in overall population (C vs T, OR: 1.422, 95% CI= 1.159-1.745, P=0.001). Similar results were found in subgroup analysis by region. But we did not find association between miRNA-146 rs2910164 polymorphism and inflammatory arthritis susceptibility in overall population (C vs T, OR: 1.061, 95% CI= 0.933-1.207, P=0.365). CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that miRNA-499 rs3746444 polymorphism is associated with inflammatory arthritis susceptibility. However, there is lack of association between miRNA-146 rs2910164 polymorphism and inflammatory arthritis susceptibility. But, we also find miRNA-146 rs2910164 and miRNA-499 rs3746444 polymorphism are associated with inflammatory arthritis in Middle East. Therefore, more large-scale studies are warranted to replicate our findings.