Inclusion of these data in a meta-analysis (random effects) of four independent cohorts (3,527 cases and 4,126 controls) weakens support for the hypothesis that rs3738919 plays a role in the development of RA (OR(combined) = 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.29).
Motivated by linkage data and the hypothesis that angiogenesis plays a functional role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Jacq and colleagues present a family-based, multi-stage, candidate gene association study in French and European Caucasians in a paper on the association of the ITGAV rs3738919-C variant allele with RA (C-containing genotypes: odds ratio 1.94, confidence interval 1.3 to 2.9, P = 0.002).
The rs3738919-C allele of the ITGAV gene is associated with RA in the European Caucasian population, suggesting ITGAV as a new minor RA susceptibility gene.