• Oliver Teuffel, Marie-Chantal Ethier, Joseph Beyene, and Lillian Sung.
• the Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
• Crit. Care Med. 2010 Jan 1;38(1):276-82.

ObjectiveThe tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha promoter -308 A/G polymorphism has been reported to be associated with sepsis with inconsistent results. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether the TNF-alpha -308 A/G polymorphism TNF2 (G/A or A/A) confers susceptibility to sepsis or is associated with increased risk of death from sepsis.Data SourcesWe performed an electronic search of OVID MEDLINE from 1950 to June 2008 and EMBASE from 1980 to June 2008.Study SelectionFrom 1935 reviewed study articles, 25 were included based on predefined inclusion criteria.Data ExtractionTwo reviewers independently extracted data onto standardized forms.Data SynthesisAn association between development of sepsis and the TNF2 genotype was found in the overall population (odds ratio, 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-3.19; p < .01). Stratification by ethnicity indicated that the contribution to this observation may be stronger among the Asian population (odds ratio, 3.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.92 to 5.20; p < .01) compared with other ethnicities. There was no association between the TNF2 genotype and mortality from sepsis (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.81 to 2.70; p = .20). However, when stratified for ethnicity, there may be an increased risk for fatal outcomes among Asians (odds ratio, 10.75; 95% confidence interval, 2.98 to 38.78; p < .01).ConclusionsOur systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that the TNF2 polymorphism is associated with sepsis. However, TNF2 is not associated with sepsis mortality.

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