A comprehensive investigation of the association between IL-۶ rs۱۸۰۰۷۹۵ (-۱۴۷G/C) and severity of COVID-۱۹: A meta-analysis of case-control studies

Background: To evaluate the relationship between COVID-۱۹ and IL-۶ polymorphism, a meta- analysis was conducted on seven studies, comprising ۲۲۶۵ controls and ۱۶۸۶ cases. Materials & Methods: The literature on IL-۶ polymorphism and its correlation with COVID-۱۹ severity was extensively reviewed, covering research up to August ۲۰۲۳. Various databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, and Embase were utilized for literature search. Data analysis was performed using Cochrane Rob Tool ۲ and Review Manager ۵ software. Findings: In this meta-analysis, none of the models showed a correlation between IL-۶ polymorphism and COVID-۱۹, including the allelic (G vs C, OR: ۱.۰۱, ۹۵% CI: ۰.۶۳–۱.۶۴, p= .۲۲, I۲=۹۱%), homozygote (GG vs. CC, OR: ۱.۰۸, ۹۵% CI: ۰.۴۱–۲.۸۳, p= .۸۷, I۲=۷۹%), heterozygote (GC vs. CC, OR: ۰.۷۸, ۹۵% CI: ۰.۳۴–۱.۷۸, p= .۵۵, I۲=۷۳%), dominant (GG + GC vs CC, OR: ۰.۷۹, ۹۵% CI: ۰.۳۲–۱.۹۵, p= .۶۱, I۲=۸۱%), and recessive (OR: ۱.۲۶, ۹۵% CI: ۰.۵۱–۳.۱۰, p= .۶۱, I۲=۸۱%) models. Notably, funnel plot analysis revealed no indication of publication bias. Conclusion: The findings of this meta-analysis indicated no significant correlation between IL-۶ polymorphism and COVID-۱۹ severity, suggesting insufficient data to establish a link between IL-۶ (rs۱۸۰۰۷۹۵) and more severe COVID-۱۹ cases.

Keywords:

IL۶ , rs۱۸۰۰۷۹۵ , COVID-۱۹ , Gene polymorphism