Association between ADAM33 S2 and ST+4 polymorphisms and susceptibility to asthma: A meta-analysis

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether ADAM33 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 33) polymorphisms confer susceptibility to asthma in different populations. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis on the association between the ADAM33 S2, ST+4, F+1, S1, and V4 polymorphisms and asthma. Results: Thirteen studies in ten reports, which included 4942 patients and 7933 controls, were available for the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis stratified by ethnicity indicated an association between the ADAM33 S2 2 allele and asthma in Europeans (OR = 0.912, 95% CI = 0.851-0.977, p = 0.009). Meta-analysis revealed an association between asthma and the ADAM33 ST+4 2 allele (OR = 0.783, 95% CI = 0.762-0.999, p = 0.048). Stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between the ADAM33 ST+4 polymorphism and asthma in Asians. Stratification by age indicated an association between the ADAM33 ST+4 2 allele and asthma in adults (OR = 0.863, 95% CI = 0.782-0.964, p = 0.008). However, no association was found between asthma and the ADAM33 F+1, S1, and V4 polymorphisms. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that the ADAM33 S2 polymorphism confers susceptibility to asthma in Europeans and the ADAM33 ST+4 polymorphism is associated with asthma in Asians and adults.