Relationship between CYP11B2-344T>C polymorphsim and atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis

Introduction: The aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2)-344T>C gene polymorphism has been reported to influence the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in many studies; however, the results remain controversial and ambiguous.

Materials and methods: We therefore carried out a meta-analysis of published case-control studies to investigate the association between CYP11B2-344T>C polymorphism and AF susceptibility. Electronic searches were conducted on links between this variant and AF in several databases. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for homozygous, dominant model, recessive model and allele were calculated to estimate the strength of associations in fixed and random effect models. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed.

Results: A total of nine case-control studies were identified. The C allele was associated with an increased susceptibility risk of AF compared with the T allele among hypertension populations (OR=1.26; 95% CI=1.09-1.45). The contrast of homozygotes and the recessive model produced the same pattern of results as the allele contrast. In the hypertension population, a significant association was found for the genetic models that were examined.

Conclusions: Our pooled data suggest a significant association exists between CYP11B2-344T>C polymorphism and AF among hypertension populations.