The beta fibrinogen gene G-455-A polymorphism is a risk factor for Legg-Perthes disease.
Legg-Perthes disease is a pediatric hip disorder characterized by avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The etiology of Legg-Perthes disease may involve repeated interruptions of the blood supply to the proximal femur. Thus, the role of thrombosis in Legg-Perthes disease is of interest. The focus of this analysis is an evaluation of the relationship between Legg-Perthes disease and the beta fibrinogen gene G-455-A polymorphism in 55 cases of Legg-Perthes disease and 56 age, race, and gender-matched healthy controls. Parents of subjects completed a questionnaire about their child's lifestyle and medical history. Blood was obtained for plasma and DNA analysis. Study subjects were predominantly white (93%), male (77%) and under age 16 (70%). Cases were more likely to be exposed to passive smoke than were controls (odds ratio 5.6, 95% confidence interval 2.0-12.0). Assuming a dominant genetic model, individuals who possessed either the G/A or A/A genotype were over three times more likely to have Legg-Perthes disease compared to those without the polymorphism (odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.5-7.8). Separate analyzes by smoke exposure revealed that the excess risk of the G-455-A polymorphism occurred in those exposed (odds ratio 7.0) as opposed to those unexposed to passive smoke (odds ratio 1.9). Although this difference in the odds ratios is not statistically significant (P=0.2), it suggests a possible interactive effect of cigarette smoke and the b fibrinogen gene G-455-A polymorphism in the risk of developing Legg-Perthes disease.
Dilley
A
A
Hematologic Diseases Branch, Division of AIDS, STD, and Laboratory Research, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. adilley@cdc.gov
Hooper
W C
WC
Austin
H
H
Jamil
M
M
Miller
C
C
Stokes
M
M
Evatt
B
B
Eldridge
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007873:Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects
C115499:BBeta fibrinogen; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D005340:Fibrinogen