Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected in this case-control study involved with 671 GD patients and 706 controls. Later, a meta-analysis including seven case-control studies related to GD susceptibility and FCRL3 polymorphisms was carried out. T-test and chi-square test were utilized to find if difference in clinical variables existed between case and control subjects. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association between GD susceptibility and FCRL3 polymorphisms.
Three polymorphisms, namely, FCRL3_3C, FCRL3_5C and FCRL3_6A, were significantly associated with increased risk of GD in terms of a Chinese Han population in both dominant model [OR = 1.33 (95% CI: 1.04–1.69), OR = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.05–1.70) and OR = 1.36 (95% CI: 1.07–1.75), respectively] and allelic model [OR = 1.27 (95% CI: 1.10–1.48), OR = 1.28 (95% CI: 1.11–1.49) and OR = 1.23 (95% CI: 1.06–1.43), respectively]. Further meta-analyses indicated that the effects of FCRL3_3C, FCRL3_5C and FCRL3_6A on susceptibility to GD varied between Asians and Caucasians.
This case-control analysis demonstrated that FCRL3_3, FCRL3_5 and FCRL3_6 polymorphisms were associated with significantly elevated risk of GD in a Chinese population. Furthermore, the following meta-analysis confirmed that FCRL3_3, FCRL3_5 and FCRL3_6 polymorphisms could increase susceptibility to GD only in Asians, rather than in Caucasians.