Meta-Analysis on Associations of Alcohol Metabolism Genes With Alcohol Use Disorder in East Asians

• Published in: Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford) 2019-05, Vol.54 (3), p.216-224
• Main Authors: Zaso, Michelle J, Goodhines, Patricia A, Wall, Tamara L, Park, Aesoon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Alcohol Dehydrogenase - genetics; Alcoholism - genetics; Alcoholism - metabolism; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial - genetics; Alleles; Asian Continental Ancestry Group - genetics; Ethanol - metabolism; Genetic Association Studies - methods; Humans; Original Manuscript; Sex Factors
• ISSN: 0735-0414; 1464-3502
• DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agz011

The current meta-analysis tested independent and composite associations of three commonly studied alcohol metabolism alleles with alcohol use disorder (AUD) within East Asians as well as characterized potential moderating factors in these associations. For meta-analysis, 32 articles were selected that investigated ALDH2 (n = 17,755), ADH1B (n = 13,591) and ADH1C (n = 4,093) associations with AUD in East Asians. All three variants were associated with AUD across allelic and genotypic models: ALDH2, ORs = 0.25, P < 0.001; ADH1B, ORs = 0.22-0.49, P < 0.001; ADH1C, ORs = 0.26-0.46, P < 0.001. Composite analyses suggested genetic associations did not differ across ALDH2*2 and ADH1B*2, correcting for multiple comparisons. Moderation analyses suggested ADH1B was more strongly associated with AUD among samples with cases recruited from treatment than the community. Also, strength of ALDH2 and/or ADH1B associations varied with mean age and proportion of men in cases and controls. Findings support medium to large and unique associations of ALDH2, ADH1B, and ADH1C with AUD in East Asians. Results also identified novel methodological and sample characteristics that may modulate strength of these associations.