title: Apolipoprotein E gene E2/E2 genotype is a genetic risk factor for vertebral fractures in humans: a large-scale study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although many studies have been performed to evaluate whether or not apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) polymorphisms are differentially associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures, the results have been conflicting. This large-scale study was performed to investigate whether a relationship exists between APOE polymorphisms and risk of fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 3,000 patients with fractures and 3,000 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was applied to assess the APOE gene polymorphisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with fractures had a significantly higher frequency of APOE E2/E2 genotype [odds ratio (OR) = 2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.30, 3.14; P = 0.002] than healthy controls. When stratifying by fracture type, it was found that patients with vertebral fractures had a significantly higher frequency of APOE E2/E2 genotype (OR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.73, 4.73; P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in nonvertebral (hip or wrist or other) fractures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that APOE E2/E2 genotype is a potential genetic risk factor for vertebral fractures in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to the Second Military Medical University, NO.168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
authors.forename: Shu Qi
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wei Ying
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wen Qin
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Ling Juan
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E