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

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.