MTHFR 677 C -> T mutation - A predictor of early-onset coronary artery disease risk

The atherosclerotic potential of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (M THFR) gene mutation 677 C --> T substitution remains controversial. In this study, we describe the association of this mutation in a Southern Texan pa tient population of multiracial ethnic background with risk and extent of c oronary artery disease (CAD) as measured by luminal narrowing. Sixty nine p atients who were 50 years or younger composed our population. Chi-square an alysis was used to analyze the data and found a significant association bet ween CAD and this mutation (P value = 0.03). In addition, in the small numb er of patients in this study who had diabetes, those who had mutation had m ore severe disease than those without the mutation. This study highlights t he potential cardiovascular prognostic significance of the MTHFR 677 C --> T in the studied population. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.