Association Between GSTM1 Null Genotype and Coronary Artery Disease Risk: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the association between polymorphisms of GSTM1 null genotype and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. MATERIAL AND METHODS Published literature from PubMed, EMBASE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were retrieved before March 2014. All studies reporting adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of CAD risk were included. RESULTS A total of 13 case-control studies, including 5453 cases and 5068 controls, were collected. There was a significant association between GSTM1 null genotype and CAD risk (adjusted OR=1.26; 95% CI, 1.11-1.43; I^2=3%). When stratified by ethnicity, a significantly elevated risk was observed in whites. In the subgroup analysis according to disease type, a significantly increased myocardial infarction (MI) risk was observed. Subgroup analysis of smoking status showed an increased CAD risk in smokers. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that GSTM1 null genotype is associated with an increased CAD risk.