title: Analysis of FokI polymorphism of vitamin D receptor gene in intervertebral disc degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have hypothesized a possible relationship between disc degeneration (DD) and VDR FokI/T2C polymorphism.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study was performed comprising 121 Brazilian patients with confirmed DD by nuclear magnetic resonance and a control group consisting of 131 healthy patients without a history of disc cysts of the lumbar spine. Detection of VDR FokI/T2C polymorphism was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction. The chi-square test was used to compare allele and genotype frequencies between groups, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results disclosed statistical difference between allele distribution among cases and controls (p=0.025, odds ratio=1.58, confidence interval=1.07-2.32) considering VDR FokI/T2C polymorphism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed a positive association between VDR FokI/T2C polymorphism and DD in Brazilian patients tested.
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC , Santo André/SP, Brazil .
authors.forename: Luiz Angelo
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Patricia Leme
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: De Marchi
authors.forename: Aline Amaro
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.forename: Denise Maria
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Christofolini
authors.forename: Caio Parente
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Fernando Luiz Affonso
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: Luciano Miller R
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001938:Brazil; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; C035042:endodeoxyribonuclease FokI; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific