Polymorphic variations in the gene for osteoprotegerin are associated with bone mineral density and predict fractures in elderly men: Data from Mr OS Sweden. :

• Background:  Osteoporosis is a polygenetic disorder where several genes are known to be involved. In this report we investigated the association between polymorphic variations in the gene for osteoprotegerin (OPG) and bone mineral density (BMD) and fragility fractures in elderly men. Methods: The study was performed in Mr OS Sweden, a cohort consisting of 3014 randomly selected men between 69 and 81 years of age, where at baseline BMD was measured at hip and spine by dual energy X ray absorbtiometry (DXA) and blood samples extracted. DNA was then isolated and the OPG gene was characterised. Prospective fractures, all verified by X-rays, were recorded for 5 years following baseline. Common variants in the 3’ and 5’UTR of the OPG gene was typed using Sequenom technology.  Results: There was a significant association between common genetic variants in the gene for OPG and BMD at both hip (top SNP rs10955908, p<0.0008) and spine (top SNP rs10955908, p<0.0008) . The differences in BMD related to presence of various OPG alleles were between 0.5-3.5%. There was also an association with fragility fractures with odds ratio for rs6993813 reaching statistical significance (p=0.03) For five other SNPs were tested were the association with fractures did not reach statistical significance (p=0.12 - 0.19). Conclusion: Polymorphic variations in the gene for OPG are associated with BMD and fragility fractures in elderly men. The data support the view that variation in the OPG gene is a determinant for BMD and fragility fracture risk also in men. 

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Ortopedi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Orthopaedics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

osteoporosis

osteoprotegerin

bone mineral density

fracture

polymorphism

Orthopaedics

Ortopedi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)