title: Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and functional disability in Brazilian elders: the Bambuí Health and Aging Study.
abstract: Numerous studies have associated the apolipoprotein E (apoE) ε4 allele with worse health status, but few have assessed the existence of genotype-dependent variations in functional performance. Among participants in the Bambuí Health and Aging Study, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, 1,408 elderly underwent apoE genotyping. Functionality was assessed with a questionnaire, and individuals were classified as dependent in basic activities of daily living (BADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and mobility. The association between apoE genotype and functional status was assessed by logistic regression, taking confounding factors into account. Presence of ε4 allele was associated with lower odds of mobility deficit (OR = 0.65; 95%CI: 0.47-0.92) in the adjusted analysis. There were no significant differences in relation to presence of dependency in BADLs and IADLs. The reasons are not entirely understood, but they may involve the role of ε4 allele as a "thrifty gene" in a sample exposed to high risk of infectious and nutritional diseases in the past.
authors.affiliation: Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Zunzarren
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Megale
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brasil.
authors.forename: Antônio Ignácio
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: de Loyola Filho
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brasil.
authors.forename: Josélia Oliveira Araújo
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Firmo
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lima-Costa
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brasil.
authors.forename: Sérgio Viana
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Peixoto
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D001938:Brazil; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4