Introduction: Recently, molecular epidemiological studies have suggested that aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2)  rs671 G>A polymorphism may be a risk factor for ischemic stroke (IS). However, the results reported have not been consistent.
Methods: We conducted the meta-analysis to explore the precise association between ALDH2  rs671 G>A polymorphism and IS risk. Five online databases were searched and the relative studies were reviewed from inception to October 1, 2018. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in each genetic model of the general and subgroup. Furthermore, the heterogeneity, accumulative analyses, sensitivity analyses and publication bias were calculated simultaneously.
Results: Overall, nine case-control studies involving 6,129 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. All studies were focused on the Chinese population and some significant associations were found between ALDH2  rs671 G>A polymorphism and IS risk (A vs G: OR=1.29, 95% CI=1.01–1.65, P =0.04, I²=78.2%; AA vs GG: OR=1.86, 95% CI=1.27–2.21, P <0.01, I²=11.3%; AA vs GG + GA: OR=1.67, 95% CI=1.27–2.19, P <0.01, I²=0%). Some significant and similar results were also observed in the subgroup analysis.
Conclusion: Our meta-analysis indicates that the ALDH2  rs671 G>A polymorphism may play an important role in the occurrence of IS by reducing the activity of ALDH2 and interfering with the metabolic processes involving acetaldehyde.
Keywords: aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, rs671, ischemic stroke, polymorphism, meta-analysis