Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and susceptibility for primary osteoarthritis of the knee in a Latin American population

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Primary Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a multifactorial disease that has an important genetic component, and several genes have been associated with its development. The vitamin D receptor has a role in skeletal metabolism that suggests a relationship with OA. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of Vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphisms in Mexican Mestizo patients. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in which 107 cases with primary OA of the knee and 114 controls were included. Cases were patients > 40 years of age with a Body mass index (BMI) of ≤27 and a radiological score for OA of the knee of ≥2. Controls were subjects > 40 years of age with a radiological score of < 2. VDR polymorphisms rs1544410, rs7975232, and rs731236 were analyzed by means of restriction endonucleases, and logistic regression was developed to evaluate risk magnitude. RESULTS: A significantly increased risk was found of nearly two-fold for the allele T and TT genotypes of rs731236, independently of other well recognized risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The rs731236 polymorphism is associated with the risk of primary OA of the knee in Mexican Mestizo population.