Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism in rheumatoid arthritis and its association with atherosclerosis

Abstract EN

Aim of the work Determine vitamin D receptor gene BsmI, FokI polymorphism and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in early Egyptian rheumatoid patients and its association to subclinical atherosclerosis.

Patients and methods This study included forty early rheumatoid arthritis patients and forty healthy controls.

Disease activity score 28 (DAS-28), Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ), Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were assessed using B-mode ultrasound, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), Lipid profile, anti cyclic citrullinated PolyPeptid (anti-CCP), serum interleukin-6, Total serum vitamin D and genotype determination of BsmI, FokI polymorphism and allel frequency were measured.

Results Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 25% of patients.

There was no significant difference between RA patients and controls regarding the distribution of BsmI genotype frequencies and allele.

However, a significant difference between rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls regarding the distribution of FokI genotype and allele frequencies was found.

In addition, FokI polymorphism and the F allele was significantly associated with RA.

anti-CCP, interleukin-6 levels, (cIMT) and vitamin D deficiency were significantly higher in the presence of bb homozygote of BsmI genotypes and FF homozygote of FokI genotypes.

A significant negative correlation between 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels with (DAS-28), ESR, (CRP), and IL-6 (P < 0.001).

However, there was positive correlation between 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels and HDL-C (P < 0.001).