Association of genetic variants in GNβ3 with functional dyspepsia: A meta-analysis

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a functional upper gastrointestinal disorder. The etiology and pathogenesis of FD remain unclear, with genetic factors playing an important role. Previous studies investigated the association of C825T in GNβ3 with FD, with conflicting results reported. Aims: The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the association of genetic variants in GNβ3 with FD. Methods: We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Web of Knowledge, and conducted a meta-analysis to assess the association of C825T in GNβ3 with FD. For sensitivity analysis, we analyzed the association between C825T and subtypes of FD. We also performed meta-analyses separately for individual ethnic groups/countries of origin. Results: A total of eight studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in our analyses. Our meta-analysis finds no association between 825CC and FD (OR 1.19, 95 % CI 0.84-1.67, p = 0.328). However, the association is significant under an additive model (OR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.38-0.92, p = 0.018). Sensitivity analysis indicated a significant association of C825T with FD in participants from Korea but not in those from Japan, Europe, or the United States. We also detected a significant association of this SNP with dysmotility. Conclusions: The genetic variant C825T in GNβ3 is significantly associated with FD under an additive model and the association is race-specific. Further studies with larger samples sizes are needed to validate our findings and to explore the potential mechanism underlying the association.