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.

Keywords: Coronary Artery Disease - genetics, Case-Control Studies, Genetic Association Studies, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Glutathione Transferase - genetics, Polymorphism, Genetic, Risk Factors