Vitamin D receptor FokI, BsmI, and TaqI polymorphisms and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis A meta-analysis

Objective. The aim of this study was to explore whether vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Meta-analyses were conducted on the associations between the VDR FokI, BsmI, and TaqI polymorphisms and RA. Results. A total of seven studies were considered in the meta-analysis, involving a total of 923 patients and 912 controls. Meta-analysis of the VDR FokI polymorphism showed no association between RA and the F allele in the entire studied cohort (odds ratio, OR = 1.1740, 95 % confidence interval, CI = 0.994-1.387, p = 0.059). However, stratification by ethnicity revealed a significant association between the F allele and RA in Europeans (OR = 1.402, 95 % CI = 1.126-1.746, p = 0.003). Furthermore, an association was found between RA and the VDR FokI polymorphism using both the dominant model and homozygote contrast. Meta-analysis revealed no association between RA and the VDR BsmI B and TaqI T polymorphisms in Europeans (OR for the B allele = 1.065, 95 % CI = 0.911-1.245, p = 0.427; OR for the T allele = 1.065, 95 % CI = 0.834-1.361, p = 0.613). Conclusion. This meta-analysis suggests that the VDR FokI polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to RA in European populations.