Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and osteoarthritis of the hand, hip,and knee: a case-control study in Japan

Objective. To investigate the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and Japanese female patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand, hip, and knee. Methods. BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RF LPs) of the VDR gene were analysed in 270 Japanese female patients with rad iographic OA of the hand, hip, tibiofemoral(TF) joint, and patellofemoral(P F) joint, as well as in female controls. Results. There was no significant association between the VDR gene RFLPs an d OA of the hand, hip, TF joint, PF joint, or polyarticular involvement. Th e previously detected preventive genotype of the VDR gene was uncommon in o ur test population. Conclusion. The relative importance of VDR gene polymorphism in the develop ment of OA may vary between ethnic groups.