BACKGROUND: The associations between the thrombomodulin (TM) polymorphisms and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk remain controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of TM polymorphisms with CAD susceptibility using a meta-analysis approach.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: All eligible studies were identified through a search of PubMed, EMBASE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) before February 2014. The associations between the TM polymorphisms and CAD risk was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS: A total of 14 case-control studies, including 5493 cases and 8297 controls, were eventually collected. There was a significant association between TM -33G/A polymorphism and CAD risk (OR=1.61; 95% CI, 1.35–1.92; I2=15%). The TM Ala455Val polymorphism was also associated with a significantly increased CAD risk (OR=1.14; 95% CI, 1.05–1.24; I2=0%). These results remained statistically significant when the adjusted ORs were combined.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that TM-33G/A and Ala455Val polymorphisms are risk factors for CAD.

Keywords: Coronary Artery Disease - epidemiology, China - epidemiology, Genetic Predisposition to Disease - genetics, Models, Statistical, Odds Ratio, Polymorphism, Genetic - genetics, Risk Factors, Thrombomodulin - genetics