OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism and the susceptibility of ischemic stroke among different ethnic populations. METHODS: The databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and others were searched. And a total of 17 studies published in English between 2000 and October 2010 on the association of MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism with ischemic stroke were selected. A comprehensive quantitative analysis was performed by meta-analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the pooled OR values of ischemic stroke with TT and CC genotype were 1.30 (95%CI: 1.11 to 1.52) and 0.88 (95%CI: 0.79 to 0.98) respectively. And when sub-grouped by ethnic populations, the Caucasians were more likely than other populations to suffer ischemic stroke. There was a low probability of publication bias. CONCLUSION: The presence of MTHFR TT gene is associated with an elevated risk of developing ischemic stroke, especially in Caucasians.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism and the susceptibility of ischemic stroke among different ethnic populations. METHODS: The databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and others were searched. And a total of 17 studies published in English between 2000 and October 2010 on the association of MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism with ischemic stroke were selected. A comprehensive quantitative analysis was performed by meta-analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the pooled OR values of ischemic stroke with TT and CC genotype were 1.30 (95%CI: 1.11 to 1.52) and 0.88 (95%CI: 0.79 to 0.98) respectively. And when sub-grouped by ethnic populations, the Caucasians were more likely than other populations to suffer ischemic stroke. There was a low probability of publication bias. CONCLUSION: The presence of MTHFR TT gene is associated with an elevated risk of developing ischemic stroke, especially in Caucasians.