Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism with the risk of sepsis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Association between vitamin D receptor gene variants and neonatal sepsis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was elucidating the association of VDR SNPs (FokI, TaqI, BsmI, BgII, and ApaI) with neonatal sepsis. Literature search was performed to retrieve records published until August 2nd, 2023 (PROSPERO registration: CRD42023451355). Meta-analysis was carried out to determine the pooled estimates for Odds Ratio (OR). A total of four studies were included with 500 neonates (250 sepsis cases and 250 healthy controls). There was an association observed between TaqI SNP with neonatal sepsis for CT vs. CC+TT (OR=1.95) and TT vs CT+CC (OR=0.40). Moreover, the pooled estimates also suggested that CC vs. CT+TT (OR= 0.37) and C vs. T (OR=0.66) of FokI SNP were significantly associated with neonatal sepsis. SNP of BgII was found to be significantly associated with neonatal sepsis, but only reported in a single study.

Association between vitamin D receptor gene FokI polymorphism and mortality in patients with sepsis

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction as a result of the host's dysregulated immune response to infection. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene FokI polymorphism influences immune cell behavior. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between VDR FokI polymorphism and mortality in sepsis and non-sepsis patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is a prospective observational study involving 96 sepsis and 96 non-sepsis patients admitted to the Ege University ICU. VDR FokI polymorphisms were investigated, as well as the relationship between the identified polymorphisms and mortality.  In-hospital mortality was 27.1% in the sepsis group and 8.33% in the non-sepsis group (p = 0.001). The frequencies of VDR FokI TT, TC, and CC genotypes were 8 (8.33%), 48 (50.0%), and 40 (41.7%) in the sepsis group, and 11 (11.5%), 42 (43.8%), and 43 (44.8%) in the non-sepsis group, respectively (p = 0.612). In the sepsis group, the frequencies of Fokl TT, TC, and CC genotypes did not differ significantly between survivors and non-survivors. However, homozygous C allele carriers had lower overall mortality (p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

The VDR FokI polymorphism, particularly the CC genotype, appears to be associated with lower mortality in ICU patients.