AT1R A1166C polymorphism and risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension: a meta-analysis of case control studies.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to perform a quantitative review of previous case control studies examining the association between AT1R A1166C polymorphism and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used as measures of effect sizes. Overall effect sizes were derived using a random-effects model or fixed-effects model when appreciated, and stratified by ethnicity. Funnel plots and Egger's regression asymmetry tests were utilized for publication bias detection.

RESULTS: A total of ten articles (including 920 PIH cases and 1408 controls) were included in this meta-analysis. The overall effect sizes (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.54-2.98, p < 0.00001) of additive model indicated PIH patients had a significant higher frequency of allele C. Meanwhile, the OR of the dominant model was 2.22 (95% CI: 1.51-3.26,p < 0.00001) which signified that PIH patients also had a significant higher frequency of AC+CC genotypes. The subgroup analyses were in line with the overall outcomes except the Caucasians PIH patients had a non-significant CA+CC genotypes (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 0.95-1.98, p > 0.05). The Egger's test of additive model (p = 0.451) and dominant model (p = 0.623) revealed no statistical significance for publication bias.

CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis suggested that the AT1R Al166C polymorphism was significantly associated with the PIH, especially in Asian subjects.