Objective. Previous studies have investigated the relationships between osteopontin gene polymorphism rs1126616 and OPN levels\nand urolithiasis, but the results were controversial. Our study aimed to clarify such relationships. Methods. A meta-analysis\nwas performed by searching the databases Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science for relevant studies. Crude odds ratios (ORs)\nor standardised mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the strength of association.\nPublication bias was estimated using Begg�s funnel plots and Egger�s regression test. Results. Overall, a significantly increased risk\nof urolithiasis was associated with OPN gene polymorphism rs1126616 for all the genetic models except recessive model. When\nstratified by ethnicity, the results were significant only in Turkish populations. For OPN level association, a low OPN level was\ndetected in the urine of urolithiasis patients in large sample size subgroup. Results also indicated that urolithiasis patients have lower\nOPN level in serum than normal controls. Conclusion. This meta-analysis revealed that the T allele of OPN gene polymorphism\nincreased susceptibility to urolithiasis. Moreover, significantly lower OPN levels were detected in urine and serum of urolithiasis\npatients than normal controls, thereby indicating that OPN has important functions in the progression of urolithiasis.
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