Genetic association between microRNA gene polymorphisms and polycystic ovary syndrome susceptibility: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, associated with genetic and environmental factors, including microRNA (miRNA) gene polymorphisms.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between miRNA gene polymorphisms and PCOS.

SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched to September 2024, using MeSH terms including "MicroRNAs", "Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide," and "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome".

SELECTION CRITERIA: Case-control studies investigating the relationship between miRNA gene polymorphism and PCOS were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two researchers collected the data independently. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Data synthesis was performed using RevMan 5.4, and the strength of the evidence was evaluated using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach.

MAIN

RESULTS

Five case-control studies were included in the systematic review, encompassing 985 patients with PCOS and 1004 healthy controls. The meta-analysis included data from 870 PCOS patients and 889 controls. The GG genotype of miR-146a rs2910164 was significantly associated with a protective effect against PCOS, while the GC and CC genotypes were linked to increased PCOS risk. In contrast, the TT genotype of miR-196a-2 rs11614913 was associated with heightened PCOS susceptibility. However, the certainty of evidence supporting these associations was low, indicating that the true effects may differ from the observed estimates.

CONCLUSION

miRNA polymorphisms, specifically the GG genotype of miR-146a rs2910164 and the GC, CC, and TT genotypes of miR-196a-2 rs11614913 seem to be associated with an increased risk of PCOS, warranting further large-scale studies to validate these associations.