Autoimmune diseases and vitamin D receptor Apa-I polymorphism are associated with vitiligo in a small inbred Romanian community.
Vitiligo has been associated with the host's genetic profile, metabolic abnormality and immunostatus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of vitiligo with autoimmune diseases for 31 out of 39 subjects with vitiligo and their first-degree relatives living in a small Caucasian inbred rural community. They were compared with healthy individuals. A 2.28% prevalence of vitiligo was calculated and the presence of consanguine marriages (72.3%) was noted for this community. Our results indicate an increased prevalence of thyroidopathies, diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis in families with vitiligo. We also show that the Apa-I polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor gene is associated with vitiligo. This is the first study of its kind performed in Romania suggesting that the vitamin D receptor gene might play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of skin depigmentation.
Birlea
Stanca
S
Department of Dermatology, Zalau County Hospital, Zalau, Romania. S_Birlea@yahoo.com
Birlea
Marius
M
Cimponeriu
Danut
D
Apostol
Pompilia
P
Cosgarea
Rodica
R
Gavrila
Lucian
L
Tigan
Stefan
S
Costin
Gertrude
G
Das
Pranab
P
D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D015995:Prevalence; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics*; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012423:Rural Health; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
D017931:DNA Primers; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D004247:DNA