Associations between interleukin-10 gene polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus risk: a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), however, the results are controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis to evaluate a more accurate estimation of the associations.

METHODS: Eligible studies were retrieved by searching PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, VIP, Wan Fang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was evaluated. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Heterogeneity was evaluated by Q statistic and I2 statistic. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis (stratified by HWE, region, event sample size, source of controls, genotyping method) were conducted and the potential for publication bias was assessed. Trial sequential analysis was introduced to assess the information size and the positive results.

RESULTS: Twenty case-control studies were included. Overall results from IL10-1082A/G polymorphism showed increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus, but no significant associations were observed in both IL10-819C/T and IL10-592C/A polymorphism. Increased risk of SLE was also observed in IL10A/G polymorphism in Asian population, hospital-based and PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism) subgroups. In addition, decreased risk of SLE was widely detected in IL10-819C/T and IL10-592C/A polymorphisms in subgroup analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the IL10-1082A/G polymorphism is a risk factor in systemic lupus erythematosus. A decreased risk of SLE in the IL10-819C/T and IL10-592C/A polymorphisms in subgroups was also observed, but further rigorously studies are needed to confirm these results.