Birthweight, vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism, and risk of lumbar spine osteoarthritis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate risk factors for adult lumbar spine osteoarthritis (OA) including polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) and birthweight.

METHODS:

Plain radiographs of the lumbar spine were taken in 392 healthy subjects and graded for osteophytes and disc space narrowing (DSN); demographic data were collected. Details of birthweight and weight at 1 year were retrieved from historical records. VDR gene allelic variation was analyzed in 291 subjects.

RESULTS:

The mean age of the cohort was 65.8 years; mean weight was 68.9 kg in women and 80.1 kg and men. Osteophytes of grade >/= 2 were found in 63.5% of this cohort; DSN >/= 2 was present in 14.3% of subjects. Increasing osteophyte severity was significantly associated with age, adult weight, and manual social class; DSN was not. Presence and severity of osteophytes were associated with low birthweight and lower weight at 1 year in men, but not in women. No associations were found for DSN. The B allele of the VDR gene was associated with increasing severity of osteophyte. There was a significant interaction between birthweight and VDR gene in determining risk of osteophytosis in men (p for interaction = 0.04). The VDR-birthweight interaction pattern was similar but not statistically significant in women.

CONCLUSION:

Lumbar spine OA was a prevalent finding in this cohort. Both birthweight and polymorphisms in the VDR gene were associated with the presence of lumbar spine osteophytes and a significant interaction was observed between these 2 factors in men.

• Authors: Kelsey M Jordan, Holly Syddall, Elaine M Dennison, Cyrus Cooper, Nigel K Arden
• Journal: The Journal of rheumatology (J Rheumatol) Vol. 32 Issue 4 Pg. 678-83 (Apr 2005) ISSN: 0315-162X [Print] Canada
• PMID: 15801025 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Calcitriol

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Birth Weight (genetics)
• England (epidemiology)
• Female
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Genotype
• Humans
• Infant, Low Birth Weight
• Infant, Newborn
• Lumbar Vertebrae (diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Male
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Radiography
• Receptors, Calcitriol (genetics)
• Risk Factors
• Spinal Osteophytosis (epidemiology, genetics, pathology)