title: Possible association of interleukin 1 gene locus polymorphisms with low back pain.
abstract: Based on a hypothesis that interleukin 1 (IL-1) activity is associated with low back pain (LBP), we investigated relationships between previously described functional IL-1 gene polymorphisms and LBP. The subjects were a subgroup of a Finnish study cohort. The IL-1alpha(C(889)-T), IL-1beta(C(3954)-T) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN)(G(1812)-A, G(1887)-C and T(11100)-C) polymorphisms were genotyped in 131 middle-aged men from three occupational groups (machine drivers, carpenters and office workers). A questionnaire inquired about individual and lifestyle characteristics and the occurrence of LBP, the number of days with pain and days with limitation of daily activities because of pain, and pain intensity, during the past 12 months. Lumbar disc degeneration was determined with magnetic resonance imaging. Carriers of the IL-1RNA(1812) allele had an increased risk of LBP (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.0-6.0) and carriers of this allele in combination with the IL-1alphaT(889) or IL-1betaT(3954) allele had a higher risk of and more days with LBP than non-carriers. Pain intensity was associated with the simultaneous carriage of the IL-1alphaT(889) and IL-1RNA(1812) alleles (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.2-11.9). Multiple regression analyses allowing for occupation and disc degeneration showed that carriage of the IL-1RNA(1812) allele was associated with the occurrence of pain, the number of days with pain and days with limitations of daily activities. Carriage of the IL-1betaT(3954) allele was associated with the number of days with pain. The results suggest a possible contribution of the IL-1 gene locus polymorphisms to the pathogenesis of LBP. The possibility of chance findings cannot be excluded due to the small sample size.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41aA, Helsinki 00250, Finland. svetlana.solovieva@ttl.fi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Solovieva
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leino-Arjas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saarela
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Luoma
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raininko
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Riihimäki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000409:Alanine / Q000235:genetics; D000483:Alleles; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003545:Cysteine / Q000235:genetics; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D005998:Glycine / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000235:genetics; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012306:Risk; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013912:Threonine / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D013912:Threonine; D012313:RNA; D003545:Cysteine; D000409:Alanine; D005998:Glycine