In this meta-analysis of the association between PTPN22 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus, 4 case-control studies, including one from China, were included. The studies included 1864 participants: 772 cases and 1092 controls. The meta-analysis showed that the 1858C/T polymorphism of the PTPN22 gene is correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility, when assessed by distribution characteristics such as nationality, race, and region. A large sample size from the Chinese population is required for a further prospective study before causality can be established.
Keywords: 1858C/T polymorphism; PTPN22 gene; meta-analysis; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).