Objective:To assess the association between -1562C/T polymorphism of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) promoter and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) susceptibility using a comprehensive meta-analysis.Methods:We searched for all case-control studies on the association between MMP-9-1562C/T and COPD susceptibility using the PubMed,EMBASE,FMJS,and CNKI.Additional studies were identified by a hand search of references of original studies or review articles on this topic.Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by using the random-effects model and fixed-effects model.Publication bias test,subgroup analysis,and sensitivity analysis were also performed.Results:A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted on 13 case-control studies comprising 2 259 cases and 2 539 controls.Results showed that -1562C/T polymorphism of the MMP-9 promoter was associated with the risk for COPD (dominant model:OR=1.40[1.03,1.91],P=0.03).In addition,MMP-9-1562C/T polymorphism increased risk for COPD among Asians (dominant model:OR=1.80[1.04,3.11],P=0.04).All the studies included in this meta-analysis were reliable and without publication bias.Conclusion:These findings indicate that -1562C/T of the MMP-9 gene had an association with COPD susceptibility,and playing a role in dominant gene model.