A Meta-analysis of the association between p53 Codon 72 Polymorphism and susceptibility to endometriosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether the p53 codon 72 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to endometriosis. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between the p53 codon 72 polymorphism and endometriosis using 1) allele contrast, 2) a recessive model, 3) a dominant model, and 4) homozygote contrast. Results: Nine studies involving 1,803 patients and 2,006 controls were considered in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of the p53 polymorphism showed no association between endometriosis and the p53 C allele (odds ratio (OR)=1.087, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.921-1.282, p=0.323). Stratification by ethnicity indicated no association between the p53 C allele and endometriosis in Europeans and Latin Americans. However, a significant association was found between the p53 C allele and endometriosis in East Asians (OR=1.405, 95% CI=1.065-1.854, p=0.016). Furthermore, association was found between the p53 polymorphism and endometriosis in East Asians using the dominant model (OR=2.046, 95% CI=1.123-3.730, p=0.019). Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that the p53 codon 72 polymorphism may be associated with susceptibility to endometriosis in East Asians, but not in Europeans and Latin Americans.