Association between the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene and risk for psoriasis in a Chinese population in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
Genetic factors play an important role in susceptibility for psoriasis. The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) is expressed by keratinocytes. Administration of ACE inhibitors may induce or exacerbate psoriasis in clinical practice. Thus, ACE gene variants may contribute to the genetic background of psoriasis.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in psoriasis among ethnically Chinese Taiwanese subjects.


METHODS
In total, 312 patients with psoriasis and 615 control subjects were analysed for the ACE I/D polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
A marginally significant difference (P=0 x 035) was found in the distribution of ACE I/D genotype frequencies between patients with psoriasis and controls. The frequency of the II genotype in patients with psoriasis was significantly higher than that in the control group (55 x 1% vs. 46 x 7%, respectively, P=0 x 015). Although the I allele frequency in patients with psoriasis (72 x 4%) was higher than that in the control group (68 x 2%), the difference was not significantly different (P=0 x 062). After adjusting for age and gender, carriers of the II genotype were 1 x 45 (95% confidence interval 1 x 09-1 x 92) times more likely than noncarriers to have psoriasis (P=0 x 010).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the presence of the I allele may confer susceptibility to development of psoriasis among ethnically Chinese Taiwanese individuals.
Chang
Y-C
YC
Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, No. 199, Tung-Hwa North Road, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wu
W-M
WM
Chen
C-H
CH
Lee
S-H
SH
Hong
H-S
HS
Hsu
L-A
LA
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000208:ethnology
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A