Investigation of the relationship between Tumor Necrosis Factor gene polymorphism and recurrent aphthous ulcers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND ANDAIM: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a lesion of the oral cavity with an unknown etiology .The main purpose of this paper was to review TNF-α gene polymorphism in patients with RAS. METHODS: In this review study, all articles contain English abstract were searched in the google scholar, science direct, PubMed, Cochrane library and Scopus databases from January 2000 to December 2019. The searches were done using the Medical Subject Heading (MESH) terms and keywords of ”gene polymorphism" and "recurrent aphthous stomatitis" or "recurrent aphthous ulcers" or "recurrent oral ulcers" and “tumor necrosis factor-alpha” or “TNF- α”.The data for gene polymorphism were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-analysis software. Cochrane Q and I2 tests were used to evaluate statistical heterogeneity between the studies. RESULTS: Amongst the 72 articles obtained in the first stage of our search of database, 3 articles which were fitted to our study based on the entry/exit criteria were selected in the review. According to this Meta-analysis, recessive model of TNF-α-308 G/A has protective effects for RAS (OR=0.392; 95% CI=0.145-1.061; p=0.045). CONCLUSION: The results show that except for the recessive model which has protective effects for RAS, there is no significant relationship between TNF-α gene polymorphism and recurrent regression disease.