Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism in relation to physical performance, cognition and survival--a follow-up study of elderly Danish twins.
OBJECTIVE
Studies of younger individuals have suggested an association between ACE genotype and physical and cognitive performance. Using a longitudinal study of elderly twins we studied the association between ACE genotype and physical and cognitive functioning and survival in old age.


METHODS
Participants were 684 twins aged 73+ years from the 1997 and 1999 surveys of the Longitudinal Study of Aging Danish Twins. Cognitive skills were assessed by the MMSE, while physical abilities were determined through self-report in 1997 and through both self-report and measurement of performance in two physical tasks in 1999. Survival status was obtained through linkage with a national death register.


RESULTS
Neither physical nor cognitive performance was associated with ACE genotype at baseline in 1997, or at follow-up in 1999. For participants in both surveys longitudinal changes in these skills did not depend on ACE genotype. The relative risk of dying was increased in II compared with the DI and DD genotype with relative risks of 1.6 (95 percent confidence intervals 1.1-2.5) and 1.3 (0.8-2.1), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
We found no substantial effects of ACE genotype on physical and cognitive performance, or rate of change among elderly. Persons with the D allele may have a lower mortality at older ages.
Frederiksen
Henrik
H
Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Main Campus: Odense University, Odense, Denmark.
Gaist
David
D
Bathum
Lise
L
Andersen
Kjeld
K
McGue
Matt
M
Vaupel
James W
JW
Christensen
Kaare
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A