FokI variant of vitamin D receptor gene and factors related to atherosclerosis associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine: a multi-hospital case-control study.
METHODS
A sex- and age-matched case-control study with genotyping of the FokI variant of the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) was carried out.


OBJECTIVE
To facilitate the early prediction, prevention, and treatment of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the spine, we analyzed the FokI variant of VDR and past body mass indexes, histories of past illness, family history, and body pliability along with lifestyle factors.


BACKGROUND
Many possible genetic and environmental risk factors for OPLL have been suggested, including male sex, high body mass index, diabetes mellitus, trauma, hormonal imbalance, and dietary and sleeping habits and genetic variants.


METHODS
Both a self-administered questionnaire and whole blood samples were obtained from 63 patients with OPLL and 126 sex-, age-, and hospital-matched controls free of backbone diseases were randomly selected from hospital patients. VDR genotyping was carried out using PCR-RFLP methods. After univariate analysis, multivariate and subgroup analyses according to the VDR genotype was applied to clarify the confounding relationship between VDR genotype and other possible risk factors.


RESULTS
A multivariate analysis revealed that the VDR FF genotype, family history of myocardial infarction, high body mass index at age 40, long working hours, and working with night shift to be independent potent risk factors for OPLL.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of developing OPLL may possibly be reduced gradually and effectively by removing or minimizing the effect of such lifestyle factors one at a time through targeted preventive intervention.
Kobashi
Gen
G
Molecular Biostatistics Research Team, Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy, National Institute of Radiological Science, Chiba, Japan.
Ohta
Kaori
K
Washio
Masakazu
M
Okamoto
Kazushi
K
Sasaki
Satoshi
S
Yokoyama
Tetsuji
T
Miyake
Yoshihiro
Y
Sakamoto
Naomasa
N
Hata
Akira
A
Tamashiro
Hiko
H
Inaba
Yutaka
Y
Tanaka
Heizo
H
D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017887:Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / Q000201:enzymology / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; C035042:endodeoxyribonuclease FokI; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific