Abstract: Birthweight, Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism, and Risk of Lumbar Spine Osteoarthritis

Birthweight, Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism, and Risk of Lumbar Spine Osteoarthritis

KELSEY M. JORDAN, HOLLY SYDDALL, ELAINE M. DENNISON, CYRUS COOPER, and NIGEL K. ARDEN

ABSTRACT.

Objective. To investigate risk factors for adult lumbar spine osteoarthritis (OA) including polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) and birthweight.

Methods. Plain radiographs of the lumbar spine were taken in 392 healthy subjects and graded for osteophytes and disc space narrowing (DSN); demographic data were collected. Details of birthweight and weight at 1 year were retrieved from historical records. VDR gene allelic variation was analyzed in 291 subjects.

Results. The mean age of the cohort was 65.8 years; mean weight was 68.9 kg in women and 80.1 kg and men. Osteophytes of grade ≥ 2 were found in 63.5% of this cohort; DSN ≥ 2 was present in 14.3% of subjects. Increasing osteophyte severity was significantly associated with age, adult weight, and manual social class; DSN was not. Presence and severity of osteophytes were associated with low birthweight and lower weight at 1 year in men, but not in women. No associations were found for DSN. The B allele of the VDR gene was associated with increasing severity of osteophyte. There was a significant interaction between birthweight and VDR gene in determining risk of osteophytosis in men (p for interaction = 0.04). The VDR–birthweight interaction pattern was similar but not statistically significant in women.

Conclusion. Lumbar spine OA was a prevalent finding in this cohort. Both birthweight and polymorphisms in the VDR gene were associated with the presence of lumbar spine osteophytes and a significant interaction was observed between these 2 factors in men. (J Rheumatol 2005;32:678-83)

Key Indexing Terms:

BIRTHWEIGHT
LUMBAR SPINE
OSTEOARTHRITIS
RISK FACTORS
VITAMIN D RECEPTOR GENE

From the MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton, England.

K.M. Jordan, MBChB, MRCP(UK); H.E. Syddall, MSc; E.M. Dennison, PhD, MRCP(UK); C. Cooper, FRCP, FMedSci; N.K. Arden, MSc, MD, MRCP(UK).

Address reprint requests to Dr. N.K. Arden, MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.

Accepted for publication October 20, 2004.