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

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Objective</h4>To evaluate the association between miRNA gene polymorphisms and PCOS.<h4>Search strategy</h4>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".<h4>Selection criteria</h4>Case-control studies investigating the relationship between miRNA gene polymorphism and PCOS were included.<h4>Data collection and analysis</h4>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.<h4>Main results</h4>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.<h4>Conclusion</h4>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.