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1 Paraffin bath therapy is a noninvasive treatment that widely used for pain control and functional improvement in various hand diseases. 2 However, there are few large-scale studies of paraffin bath therapy, and there is insufficient evidence of its efficacy. 3 This meta-analysis showed that paraffin bath therapy alone or combination with other treatments significantly reduced the visual analogue scale score and enhanced grip and pinch strengths. 4 Paraffin bath therapy exerts positive effects in the treatment of various hand diseases including osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, spasticity in stroke and post-traumatic stiffness, thereby improving quality of life. Paraffin bath therapy is noninvasive and is widely used in various hand diseases. Paraffin bath therapy is easy to use, has fewer side effects, and can be applied to various diseases with different etiologies. However, there are few large-scale studies of paraffin bath therapy, and there is insufficient evidence of its efficacy. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of paraffin bath therapy for pain relief and functional improvement in various hand diseases through a meta-analysis. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. We searched for studies using PubMed and Embase. Eligible studies were selected based on the following criteria: (1) patients with any diseases of the hand; (2) comparison between paraffin bath therapy and no paraffin bath therapy; and (3) sufficient data on changes in the visual analog scale (VAS) score, grip strength, pulp-to-pulp pinch strength, or Austrian Canadian (AUSCAN) Osteoarthritis Hand index before and after paraffin bath therapy. Forest plots were drawn to visualize the overall effect. Jadad scale score, I2 statistics, and subgroup analyses were used to assess the risk of bias. A total of five studies included 153 patients who were treated and 142 who were not treated with paraffin bath therapy. The VAS were measured in all 295 patients included in the study, while the AUSCAN index was measured in the 105 patients with osteoarthritis. Paraffin bath therapy significantly reduced the VAS scores (mean difference [MD], −1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.93 to −0.60). In osteoarthritis, paraffin bath therapy significantly improved grip and pinch strength (MD −2.53; 95% CI 0.71-4.34; MD 0.77; 95% CI 0.71-0.83) and reduced the VAS and AUSCAN scores (MD −2.61; 95% CI −3.07 to −2.14; MD −5.02; 95% CI −8.95 to −1.09). Paraffin bath therapy significantly reduced the VAS and AUSCAN scores, and improved grip and pinch strength in patients with various hand diseases. Paraffin bath therapy is effective for alleviating pain and improving function in hand diseases, thereby improving quality of life. However, owing to the small number of patients included in the study and its heterogeneity, a further large-scale, well-structured study is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To systematically review the effects of cortical bone thickness (CBT) and bone mass density (BMD) on miniscrew success rates.Methods: MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library and Scopus were searched up to June 2020. Of a total of 5734 articles, seven studies were finally selected for the review.Results: The overall mean success rate weighted by the number of miniscrews was 87.21% (89.87% in the maxilla and 79.24% in the mandible). There was a significantly higher success rate for miniscrews placed in the maxilla compared with those in the mandible (P < .05). CBT showed small positive effect on the success rate of the miniscrews although it failed to reach a statistical significance. The cortical BMD had a minimal effect on the success of the miniscrews. The cancellous BMD demonstrated a very strong effect on the success of the miniscrews in the maxilla, whereas it showed a moderately negative effect in the mandible.Limitations: Because of the small number and clinical heterogeneity of the included studies, the results should be interpreted with caution. Further randomized clinical studies with a large sample size are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To systematically review the effects of cortical bone thickness (CBT) and bone mass density (BMD) on miniscrew success rates. Methods: MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library and Scopus were searched up to June 2020. Of a total of 5734 articles, seven studies were finally selected for the review. Results: The overall mean success rate weighted by the number of miniscrews was 87.21% (89.87% in the maxilla and 79.24% in the mandible). There was a significantly higher success rate for miniscrews placed in the maxilla compared with those in the mandible (P <.05). CBT showed small positive effect on the success rate of the miniscrews although it failed to reach a statistical significance. The cortical BMD had a minimal effect on the success of the miniscrews. The cancellous BMD demonstrated a very strong effect on the success of the miniscrews in the maxilla, whereas it showed a moderately negative effect in the mandible. Limitations: Because of the small number and clinical heterogeneity of the included studies, the results should be interpreted with caution. Further randomized clinical studies with a large sample size are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentration is associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Moreover, TNF-α promoter polymorphisms affect cellular TNF-α concentrations. Although several studies on TNF-α polymorphisms have been reported, these studies only define specific loci and result in conflicting conclusions. The meta-analysis in this study was performed to examine the relationship between various TNF-α polymorphisms and RPL. We searched for articles, using MEDLINE and Embase, and performed meta-analysis of 21 studies involving 3437 cases and 4016 controls. The results demonstrated that the -308G/A polymorphism is positively associated with RPL, particularly in cases involving three or more miscarriages. For -1031T/C, -863C/A, and -376G/A polymorphisms, recessive and homozygote models revealed significant associations with RPL. However, -857C/T, -238G/A, and +488G/A polymorphisms showed no association with RPL. A subgroup analysis with respect to ethnicity demonstrated that the -308G/A and -238G/A polymorphisms are associated with RPL in Asian and Middle Eastern populations, respectively. This meta-analysis showed the associations between TNF-α polymorphisms and RPL. However, further studies of genetic polymorphisms in TNF-α other than -308G/A and -238G/A are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The curative surgical treatment of gastric cancer in the current laparoscopic surgical era relies on the surgeon's preference, technical difficulties, and concerns regarding outcome have led to the availability of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) and laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG). A consensus on which of the two procedures is preferable is necessary. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between LADG and TLDG in terms of surgical outcomes, postoperative recovery, pain, and complications. PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were explored up to 2017 to evaluate TLDG and LADG. Parameters including surgical outcomes, postoperative recovery, and postoperative complications were subjected to meta-analysis to calculate the odds ratio and weighted mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (c.i.). Twenty-five studies (24 non-RCT and 1 RCT) with a total of 4562 gastric cancer patients were included in the meta-analysis. Under reconstruction-matched analysis, overall complications and anastomotic complications were similar for TLDG and LADG. Nevertheless, short-term outcomes such as blood loss, time to first soft diet, hospital stay, analgesic use, and CRP level were favourable for TLDG, while all other surgical outcomes showed no difference. TLDG and LADG did not show significant differences in surgical outcomes and postoperative complications, including anastomotic-related morbidity. Therefore, decisive factors in selecting surgical procedures, which previously consisted of surgical outcomes, have been superseded by extra-surgical values such as cosmesis, economics, and patient's quality of life. These factors will be explored in a future multicentre prospective study (KLASS07 trial). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The relative efficacy and safety of tofacitinib and upadacitinib were assessed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate response to conventional synthetic (cs) or biologic (b) disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Method: We performed a Bayesian network meta‐analysis to combine direct and indirect evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to examine the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib and upadacitinib in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in RA patients with an inadequate cs‐ or b‐DMARD response. Results: Nine RCTs including 5794 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were 15 pairwise comparisons including 10 direct comparisons of 6 interventions. Upadacitinib 15 mg + MTX and upadacitinib 30 mg + MTX were among the most effective treatments for active RA with an inadequate cs‐ or b‐DMARD response, followed by tofacitinib 10 mg + MTX, tofacitinib 5 mg + MTX, and adalimumab + MTX. Ranking probability based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) indicated that upadacitinib 15 mg + MTX and upadacitinib 30 mg + MTX had the highest probability of being the best treatment in terms of the American College of Rheumatology 20 response rate (SUCRA = 0.820, 0.762), followed by tofacitinib 10 mg + MTX (SUCRA = 0.623), tofacitinib 5 mg + MTX (SUCRA = 0.424), adalimumab + MTX (SUCRA = 0.371), and placebo + MTX (SUCRA = 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of serious adverse events after treatment with tofacitinib + MTX, upadacitinib + MTX, adalimumab + MTX, or placebo + MTX. Conclusions: In RA patients with an inadequate response to cs‐ or b‐DMARDs, upadacitinib 15 mg + MTX and upadacitinib 30 mg + MTX were the most efficacious interventions and were not associated with significant risks of serious adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perioperative anemia frequently occurs in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of perioperative intravenous iron therapy (IVIT) on transfusion and recovery profiles during orthopedic surgery. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Google Scholar for eligible clinical trials (randomized controlled trials, RCTs; case-control studies, CCSs) in comparing IVIT and no iron therapy, up to September 2018. Primary outcomes were the effects of IVIT on the proportion of patients transfused and units of red blood cells (RBCs) transfused perioperatively. Secondary outcomes were the effects of IVIT on recovery profiles, such as length of hospital stay (LOS), post-operative infection, and mortality. Subgroup analysis was performed based on iron dose (low: ≤ 300 mg, high: > 400 mg), IVIT period (pre-operative, post-operative, perioperative), and study design. We identified 12 clinical trials (4 RCTs with 616 patients and 8 CCSs with 1,253 patients). IVIT significantly reduced the proportion of patients transfused by 31% (RR, 0.69; P = 0.0002), and units of RBCs transfused by 0.34 units/person (MD, −0.34; P = 0.0007). For subgroup analysis by iron dose, low- or high-dose IVIT significantly reduced the proportion of patients transfused (RR, 0.73, P = 0.005; RR, 0.68, P = 0.008), and RBC units transfused (MD, −0.47, P < 0.0001; MD, −0.28, P = 0.04). For subgroup analysis by period, IVIT administered post-operatively significantly reduced the proportion of patients transfused (post-operative: RR, 0.60, P = 0.002; pre-operative: RR, 0.74, P = 0.06) and RBC units transfused (post-operative: MD, −0.44, P <0.00001; pre-operative: MD, −0.29, P = 0.06). For subgroup analysis by study design, IVIT decreased the proportion of patients transfused and RBC units transfused in the group of CCSs, but IVIT in the group of RCTs did not. IVIT significantly shortened LOS by 1.6 days (P = 0.0006) and reduced post-operative infections by 33% (P = 0.01). IVIT did not change mortality. Perioperative IVIT during orthopedic surgery, especially post-operatively, appears to reduce the proportion of patients transfused and units of RBCs transfused, with shorter LOS and decreased infection rate, but no change in mortality rate. These were only found in CCSs and not in RCTs due to the relatively small number of RCTs with low to high risk of bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare outcomes of scoliosis correction with direct vertebral rotation (DVR) and without DVR (no direct vertebral rotation [N-DVR]) through meta-analysis. Methods MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched from the earliest available date of indexing through April 10, 2018, for studies evaluating outcomes of DVR and N-DVR in scoliosis. Two researchers performed the data extraction independently. Any discrepancies were resolved by a consensus. Results Seven comparative studies were identified. There were no significant differences between DVR and N-DVR for apical vertebral translation, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, coronal balance, sagittal balance, complication rate, and preoperative major Cobb angles. DVR was more effective than N-DVR for correction of thoracic Cobb angle (P = 0.02, weighted mean difference = −3.46° [95% confidence interval, −5.57°, −1.35°]), lumbar Cobb angle (P < 0.0001, weighted mean difference = −4.37° [95% confidence interval, −6.31°, −2.42°]), and apical vertebral rotation (P < 0.0001, weighted mean difference = −3.28° [95% confidence interval, −4.85°, −1.72°]). Conclusions This meta-analysis showed that postoperative thoracic Cobb angle, postoperative lumbar Cobb angle, and postoperative apical vertebral rotation were better with DVR compared with N-DVR. Further large multicenter studies will be necessary to substantiate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background More recent studies have focused on clinical outcomes of operative versus nonoperative treatment in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). However, scientific support for ASD surgery is weak. We compared outcomes of operative and nonoperative treatment of ASD with minimum 2-year follow-up in a meta-analysis. Method MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, from the earliest available date of indexing through May 10, 2018, were searched for studies evaluating outcomes of operative and nonoperative treatment of ASD. Two authors performed data extraction independently. Any discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Results Four comparative studies were identified. Postoperative back pain numeric rating scale and leg pain numeric rating scale scores were significantly lower with operative treatment compared with nonoperative treatment (P < 0.00001, weighted mean difference [WMD] = −2.76 [−3.45, −2.07] vs. P < 0.0001, WMD = −2.31 [−3.33, −1.28]). Postoperative Oswestry Disability Index and Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire scores were significantly better with operative treatment compared with nonoperative treatment (P < 0.00001, WMD = −10.96 [−13.56, −8.36] vs. P < 0.00001, WMD = 0.68 [0.48, 0.87]). The complication rate of operative treatment was 17%–71.5%. Conclusions Our meta-analysis showed that operative treatment has been demonstrated to significantly reduce disability and pain and to improve clinical outcomes compared with nonoperative treatment. Further large, multicenter, well-designed studies are necessary to substantiate our results. Highlights • Clinical outcomes of operative and nonoperative treatment in patients with ASD were studied. • Our meta-analysis showed improved outcomes with reduced disability and pain with operative treatment. • Prospective multicenter studies are recommended for confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uveitis is an eye inflammatory disease, which is sometimes associated with underlying systemic disease. Interleukin-23 plays an important role in autoimmune disease. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between the interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) and susceptibility to uveitis.Methods: Published literature from PUBMED and EMBASE were retrieved. Seven studies were included in this meta-analysis, covering a total of 1309 cases of uveitis and 2400 controls. Meta-analyses were conducted on the associations between uveitisand rs7517847, rs17375018, and rs11209032 polymorphisms in the IL-23R gene.Results: There were no significant associations between IL-23R polymorphisms and uveitis with regard to the following alleles: for G allele vs. T allele of rs7517847, OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.92-1.12, P = 0.83; for A allele vs. G allele of rs17375018, OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.47-0.99, P = 0.05; rs11209032 OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.84-1.51, P = 0.43. In contrast, there were significant associations between the AA + AG gene versus GG gene of rs17375018 and the AA gene versus AG + GG gene of rs11209032 polymorphism with uveitis (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35-0.99, P = 0.04; OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.10-1.59, P = 0.003).Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that each allele of IL-23R, including rs7519847, rs17375018 and rs11209032 was negatively associated with uveitis. However, homozygote models, including the rs17375018 GG genotype and rs11209032 AA genotype, were significantly associated with uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The study determined whether interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms confer susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between the IL-10-1082 G/A, -819 C/T, -592 C/A polymorphisms and the haplotype of the IL-10-1082 G/A, -819 C/T, -592 C/A polymorphisms and SLE. Results: A total of 19 studies involving 2828 SLE patients and 4008 controls were considered in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of the IL-10-1082 G/A polymorphism revealed an association between SLE and the IL-10-1082 G allele (odds ratio [OR]=1.158, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.051–1.276, p =0.003). Stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between the IL-10-1082 G allele and SLE in Europeans (OR=1.160, 95% CI=1.039–1.296, p =0.008). Meta-analysis stratified by ethnicity produced an association between the IL-10-819 C allele and SLE in Asians (OR=1.308, 95% CI=1.030–1.619, p =0.027). Meta-analysis of the homozygous GCC/GCC haplotype failed to show a significant association with SLE in Europeans (OR=1.223, 95% CI=0.981–1.526, p =0.074). However, meta-analysis of the GCC haplotype revealed a significant association with RA in all study subjects (OR=1.402, 95% CI=1.001–1.964, p =0.049). Stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between the GCC haplotype and SLE in Europeans (OR=1.656, 95% CI=1.087–2.523, p =0.019), but not in Asians (OR=1.100, 95% CI=0.703–1.721, p =0.677). Meta-analysis of homozygous ATA/ATA haplotype failed to show a significant association with SLE in overall and European groups. However, meta-analysis of the ATA haplotype revealed a significant association with SLE in all study subjects (OR=1.516, 95% CI=1.039–2.213, p =0.031) and Asians (OR=2.580, 95% CI=2.086–3.192, p <1×10−9), but not in Europeans (OR=1.233, 95% CI=0.816–1.862, p =0.320). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that the IL-10 polymorphisms confer susceptibility to SLE in Europeans and in Asians. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether the SUMO4 M55V (A163G) polymorphism confers susceptibility to type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted on the association between the SUMO4 M55V polymorphism and T1D using; (1) allelic contrast (G vs. A), and the (2) recessive (GG vs. GA+AA), (3) dominant (GG+GA vs. AA), and (4) additive models (GG vs. AA). Results: Thirteen separate studies were considered in the meta-analysis, which in total included 5915 patients and 6660 controls, and five European and eight Asian sample populations. Europeans had a higher prevalence of the G allele than Asians (50.4% vs. 30.2%). Meta-analysis of the SUMO4 M55V polymorphism showed an association between T1D and the SUMO4 G allele in all study subjects (OR=1.236, 95% CI=1.112–1.373, p =7.9×10−6), and stratification by ethnicity indicated a highly significant association between the SUMO4 G allele and T1D in Asians (OR=1.303, 95% CI=1.169–1.452, p =1.78×10−7) and a marginal association with T1D in Europeans (OR=1.177, 95% CI=1.000–1.386, p =0.050). Furthermore, significant associations were found between the SUMO4 M55V polymorphism and T1D and all study subjects, Europeans, and Asians using the dominant model (OR=1.239, 95% CI=1.144–1.342, p =1.4×10−8; OR=1.156, 95% CI=1.051–1.271, p =0.003; OR=1.461, 95% CI=1.262–1.691, p =3.8×10−8, respectively). Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates that the SUMO4 M55V polymorphism confers susceptibility to T1D in Asians and Europeans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: To explore whether the insertion (I) and deletion (D) polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) confers susceptibility to vasculitis.Materials and methods: A meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between the ACE I/D polymorphism and vasculitis.Results: Twelve studies, including four on Behçet’s disease (BD), four on Henoch–Schenlein purpura (HSP), three on Kawasaki disease (KD), and one on Wegener’s granulomatosis, were available for the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that the DD + ID genotype was associated with susceptibility to vasculitis (odds ratio [OR] 1.468, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.214–1.468, p = 7.4 × 10−5). The overall OR for the D allele was significantly increased in BD (OR 1.313, 95% CI 1.017–1.695). Meta-analysis of the DD+ID genotype, the DD genotype and the DD vs. II genotype showed marginal associations with BD, but meta-analysis of the D allele, and the DD+ID genotype showed significant associations with HSP (OR 1.446, 95% CI 1.021–2.049, p = 0.038; OR 1.881, 95% CI 1.385–2.595, p = 6.6 × 10−5). On the other hand, meta-analysis showed no association between KD and the ACE I/D polymorphism.Conclusions: This meta-analysis shows that the ACE I/D polymorphism is associated with vasculitis susceptibility, especially in BD and HSP. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: Factor XIII (FXIII) plays role in stabilizing the linkage between fibrins during blood clotting and has been implicated in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The relationship between the Val34Leu polymorphism in F13A1, which encodes the enzymatic subunit of FXIII, and RPL is unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association betweenF13A1 Val34Leu and the risk of RPL.Study Design: We performed a meta-analysis of 11 studies involving 1092 cases and 678 controls using published literature from PubMed and Embase.Results: We detected an association in recessive (Val/Val vs. Val/Leu+Leu/Leu; OR=0.71, 95% CI=0.51-0.99, P=0.04), and one of the two co-dominant (Val/Val vs. Val/Leu; OR=0.71, 95% CI=0.52-0.98, P=0.03) models of in heritance. Subgroup analysis revealed that the F13A1 Val34Leu polymorphism was associated with RPL in Asians (Val vs. Leu; OR=0.53, CI=0.33-0.85, P=0.01). However, there was no association between F13A1 Val34Leu and RPL in Europeans and South Americans.Conclusion: Our meta-analysis supports an association between F13A1 Val34Leu and RPL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to explore whether the cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: The authors conducted a meta-analysis on associations between CTLA-4 +49 A/G, −318 C/T, CT60 A/G polymorphisms, and (AT)n repeat in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) and UC and CD susceptibility. Results: A total of 15 comparison studies were considered in our meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed no association between UC and the CTLA-4 +49 G and CTLA-4 −318 T alleles in all subjects (OR=0.982, 95% CI=0.851–1.1339, p =0.804; OR=0.500, 95% CI=0.223–1.124, p =0.094). No association was found between UC and the CTLA-4 CT60 A/G polymorphism in Europeans. However, a significant association was observed between the longer allele (⩾118bp) of the (AT)n and UC in Asian population (OR=6.073, 95% CI=4.246–8.684, p =1.0×10−9). Meta-analysis of the CTLA-4 +49 A/G, −318 C/T, CT60 A/G polymorphisms showed no association with CD. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that the CTLA-4 (AT)n repeat in 3′ UTR may be associated with susceptibility to UC in Asians, while no association was found between the CTLA-4 +49 A/G, −318 C/T, and CD60 A/G polymorphism and susceptibility to UC and CD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: This study determined whether interleukin 1 (IL1) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between the IL1A, IL1B, and IL1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) polymorphisms and SLE. Results: A total of 15 studies involving 1956 SLE cases and 2347 controls were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed an association between SLE and the IL1A −889 T allele in the overall population and Europeans (OR=0.858, 95% CI=0.737–0.986, p =0.032; OR=0.827, 95% CI=0.687–0.994, p =0.043). Meta-analysis of the IL1RN polymorphism revealed an association with SLE in all study subjects (OR for IL1RN∗2=1.539, 95% CI=1.266–1.871, p =1.5×10−2) and in Europeans and Asians (OR=1.483, 95% CI=1.187–1.852, p =0.001; OR=1.787, 95% CI=1.167–2.736, p =0.008). No associations were found between SLE and the IL1B −511 C/T, 3953 C/T, and IL1A +4845 G/T polymorphisms. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests IL1A −889 C/T polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to SLE in Europeans, and that the IL1RN∗2 allele is associated with susceptibility to SLE in Europeans and Asians. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]