title: The Alu polymorphism of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) and atherosclerosis, incident chronic diseases and mortality in an elderly Chinese population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the contribution of ACE I/D polymorphism in a large Chinese population to four year change in ankle-brachial index (ABI), development of cardiovascular diseases and mortality in a prospective study adjusting for many confounding factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data are drawn from a longitudinal study of 4000 community-living men and women aged 65 years and over, for which detailed information regarding lifestyle, chronic diseases, body mass index (BMI), ABI measurements and ACE polymorphisms were documented at baseline. During the fifth year of follow up, incident cardiovascular diseases, ABI, and mortality were documented, and related to ACE genotype adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol, dietary intake, physical activity, body mass index, and use of ACE inhibitors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with the D/D genotype had the greatest reduction in mean ABI after adjusting for confounding factors. D/D genotype was also more common among women who developed hypertension or myocardial infarction. However D/D genotype was associated with mortality only in men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a Chinese elderly population, ACE polymorphism may be considered "deleterious" to longevity, the D/D genotype being associated with mortality, the atherosclerotic process, hypertension and myocardial infarction. There are gender differences in the relationship between D/D genotype and cardiovascular diseases and mortality may not be mediated by the atherosclerotic process alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. jeanwoowong@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: N L S
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kwok
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A