Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome susceptible genes in the Chinese population: a meta-analysis of 21 case–control studies

Background Numbers of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified as risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in the Chinese population; however, published articles drew incompatible or even contradictory results. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the susceptible SNPs and risk of OSAS in the Chinese population. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis of seven polymorphisms and risk of OSAS based on 21 case–control studies. Results The results of our study showed that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) −308 G/A (OR = 3.70, 95 % CI = 1.39–9.83), gene-linked polymorphic region (LPR) (OR = 0.57, 95 % CI = 0.41–0.79), and variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) of the 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter gene (5-HTT) (OR = 3.44, 95 % CI = 1.49–7.95) polymorphisms were associated with OSAS risk in the Chinese population, while there was no significant association between 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HTR2A) 102C/T, 5-HTR2A A1438G, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion (I)/deletion (D), or leptin receptor (LEPR)-Gln 223Arg polymorphism and risk of OSAS in the Chinese population. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that TNF-α 308 G/A, 5-HTT LPR, and 5-HTT-VNTR polymorphisms were associated with OSAS risk, whereas little association was observed between 5-HTR2A 102C/T, 5-HTR2A A1438G, ACE I/D, or LEPR-Gln 223Arg polymorphism and risk of OSAS in the Chinese population.