Published studies have shown conflicting results concerning the association between the -169T/C promoter polymorphism in the Fc receptor-like 3 (FCRL3) gene and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study we conducted an up-to-date meta-analysis to examine the relationship.
We searched the PubMed database for all papers published up to 20 April 2012. Overall, 18 case-control studies with 12 620 cases and 12 613 controls were retrieved based on the search criteria for RA susceptibility related to the FCRL3 -169T/C polymorphism. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of this association. Publication bias was assessed using the Egger test.
We found that the FCRL3 -169T/C polymorphism increased the risk for RA overall in genetic models (allelic contrast: OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.14, p = 0.001; homozygote comparison: OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.08-1.34, p = 0.001; dominant genetic model: OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05, p = 0.001). Stratified analysis by race also showed a significant positive association with Asians and Caucasians. Subgroup analysis of rheumatoid factor (RF) revealed a slightly positive relationship between the FCRL3 -169T/C polymorphism and RF-positive RA risk. No obvious evidence of publication bias was detected in the overall analysis.
Our study indicates that the FCRL3 -169T/C polymorphism is significantly associated with increased RA risk.