The A1166C mutation in the angiotensin II type I receptor and hypertensionin the elderly

1. Using a nested case-control study of 661 non-institutionalized elderly ( greater than or equal to 60 years) residents of Dubbo, New South Wales, Aus tralia, the aim of this study is to determine whether the A1166C polymorphi sm of the angiotensin II type I (AT(1)) receptor gene is associated with hy pertension in the elderly. 2. Individuals were classified as isolated systolic hypertension (ISH, n = 146), systolic diastolic hypertension (SDH, n = 188), or normotensive, age- and sex-matched controls (n = 327), AA, CC and AC genotypes were determine d using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of DNA generated by nested polymerase chain reaction, 3. A univariate analysis (chi(2)) was complemented by a logistic regression analysis, facilitating adjustment for potential confounders. The unadjuste d genotype and allele frequencies in ISH or SDH subjects did not differ sig nificantly from the control subjects (chi(2) = 3.0, P = 0.55, 4 d.f.; chi(2 ) = 3.0, P = 0.23, 2 d.f., respectively). After adjustment for potential co nfounders neither genotype nor allele predicted ISH or SDH in this cohort. 4. From this study we conclude that the A1166C polymorphism of the AT1 rece ptor gene is not a marker for ISH nor for SDH in this large, elderly commun ity sample.