Association of interferon-γ and its (+874 T/A) gene polymorphism with type 2 diabetes mellitus in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) intronic variant (rs2430561) is a risk factor for systemic lupus erythematosus: Observation from a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The role of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in autoimmune disorders has been well documented. Elevated levels of IFN-γ are observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and are linked with disease severity. Single nucleotide polymorphism in the intronic region of the IFN-γ gene (+874 T>A rs2430561) has been associated with susceptibility to the development of RA and SLE; however, the reports remained contradictories. We conducted a meta-analysis using earlier published articles to reach a valid conclusion on the role of IFN-γ polymorphism (+874 T>A) in autoimmune diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Various online databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Scopus were searched to find eligible reports for inclusion in the present analysis. Two independent authors extracted eligible studies and data. The meta-analysis was performed by comprehensive meta-analysis software (CMA) v.3.1. Trial sequential analysis was performed to test whether enough case-control studies have already been conducted worldwide to reach a valid observation.

RESULTS

Six published reports on the role of IFN-γ +874 T>A in SLE and four in RA were found after searching various databases. However, out of those six studies in SLE, in one study, the distribution of genotypes was not following the hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In RA, three studies were deviated out of four reports. Thus, a total of five studies comprising 1440 SLE patients and 1748 controls were considered for the present meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed a significant association between IFN-γ +874 T>A variants with susceptibility to SLE (homozygous comparison: p = 0.036, OR = 1.592, heterozygous model: p = 0.042, OR = 1.507, dominant model: p = 0.002, OR = 1.309).

CONCLUSIONS

IFN-γ +874 T>A variant is associated with predisposition to SLE development.

Association between the interferon-γ +874 T/A polymorphism and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis

We aimed to determine whether the interferon (IFN)-γ +874 T/A polymorphism (rs2430561) is associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the association between the IFN-γ +874 T/A polymorphism and SLE or RA using allele contrast, homozygous contrast, recessive, and dominant models. A total of nine studies (six on SLE and three on RA), involving 1839 patients and 2272 controls, were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significant association between SLE and the TT genotype of the IFN-γ +874 T/A polymorphism (odds ratio [OR] = 0.751, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.634-0.899, p = .001), and stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between the IFN-γ +874 TT genotype and the Asian population. The analysis also revealed a significant association between SLE and the TT + TA genotype of the IFN-γ +874 T/A polymorphism in Arab populations (OR = 1.598, 95% CI = 1.053-2.425, p = .028). However, no association between the IFN-γ +874 T/A polymorphism and RA was found using allele contrast, recessive, dominant or homozygous contrast models in all study subjects and ethnic groups. This meta-analysis demonstrated that the IFN-γ +874 T/A polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to SLE in Asian and Arab populations.

Rheumatology in Egypt: back to the future

Medical knowledge in ancient Egypt had a remarkable reputation since rulers of other empires used to request the pharaoh to send them their best physician to treat their beloved ones. Many rheumatologic conditions as giant-cell arteritis, reactive arthritis and other forms of spondyloarthritis have been identified in ancient Egyptian materials. Rheumatologists in Egypt are enormously expanding and mastering the tools that aid them in enhancing the management of rheumatic diseases. More Egyptian rheumatologists are actively participating in the annual European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and American College of Rheumatology conferences and those attached to well known state of the art centers are increasing. EULAR certified Egyptian MSUS trainers are effectively performing regionally. This review throws light on the rheumatology practice in Egypt, its progress from ancient times passing through Egyptian medical healthcare services, education systems for rheumatologists, rheumatology associations, an overview on the spectrum of rheumatic diseases through publications in the field till future perspectives. Rheumatology in Egypt is an actively growing and dynamic specialty of medicine with considerable contributions to the world's literature. These days, persistent efforts are mandatory to raise the standard of clinical and basic research, to optimize clinical practice with regard to new biologics, to develop tailored and targeted therapies for the rheumatic diseases, and to meet the medical demands of the exponentially increasing Egyptian population. Opportunities and challenges discussed high-lighten future perspectives needed to boost the rheumatology practice in Egypt.