Meta-analysis of associations between interleukin-10 polymorphisms and susceptibility to Behcet’s disease

The aim of this study was to determine whether interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to Behcet’s disease (BD). A meta-analysis was conducted, examining the associations between the IL-10 − 1082 G/A, − 819 C/T, and − 592 C/A polymorphisms and BD in various ethnic groups. Fourteen studies involving 5992 patients and 8966 controls were considered in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of the IL-10 − 1082 G/A polymorphism showed no association between BD and the − 1082 G allele (odds ratio (OR) = 0.951, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.790–1.146, p = 0.601). Meta-analysis of the IL-10 − 819 C/T polymorphism revealed a significant association between BD and the − 819 C allele (OR = 0.751, 95% CI = 0.684–0.825, p < 0.001) in all study subjects. Stratification by ethnicity indicated a significant association between the − 819 C allele and BD in Turkish (OR = 0.779, 95% CI = 0.709–0.856, p < 0.001) and Asian (OR = 0.676, 95% CI = 0.631–0.725, p < 0.001), but not in Middle Eastern populations. Meta-analysis of the − 592 C allele showed an association with BD in all study subjects (OR = 0.792, 95% CI = 0.662–0.948, p = 0.011) Stratification by ethnicity indicated a significant association between the − 592 C allele and BD in Asian populations (OR = 0.656, 95% CI = 0.512–0.841, p = 0.001). This meta-analysis showed that the IL-10 − 819 C/T and − 592 C/A polymorphisms are associated with BD susceptibility, especially in Asian population.