5Apal, Taql, Fokl, and Bsml polymorphisms and the susceptibility of Behcet's disease: an updated meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the gene polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR) had a genetic effect on the susceptibility of Behcet's disease (BD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis emphasizing the association between the VDR gene polymorphisms and the risk of BD. The strength of the association in five genetic models was assessed by pooled odds ratios (OR) with a corresponding 95%confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of seven independent comparisons with 478 cases and 666 healthy controls were included in this meta-analysis. The overall results suggested that a significant association between ApaI polymorphism and BD risk was found in allele comparison, recessive model, and homozygote model among total populations. Subgroup analysis indicated that a significant association of ApaI polymorphism in the development of BD existed under the allelic model among Africans, while for Caucasians, a similar link was identified in the recessive model and homozygote model. Regarding Bsml polymorphism, an obvious relationship was detected to be significant in allele comparison and recessive model in the Caucasian population. Interestingly, the Fokl variant decreased the risk of BD in Africans under five genetic models, while it increased the risk in Caucasians across the recessive model and homozygote model. CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis provide evidence of the link between the four widely studied polymorphisms in the VDR gene and BD, indicating a robust estimate of the genetic risk.