Analysis of FokI polymorphism of vitamin D receptor gene in intervertebral disc degeneration.

AimWe have hypothesized a possible relationship between disc degeneration (DD) and VDR FokI/T2C polymorphism.MethodsA case-control study was performed comprising 121 Brazilian patients with confirmed DD by nuclear magnetic resonance and a control group consisting of 131 healthy patients without a history of disc cysts of the lumbar spine. Detection of VDR FokI/T2C polymorphism was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction. The chi-square test was used to compare allele and genotype frequencies between groups, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe results disclosed statistical difference between allele distribution among cases and controls (p=0.025, odds ratio=1.58, confidence interval=1.07-2.32) considering VDR FokI/T2C polymorphism.ConclusionThe results showed a positive association between VDR FokI/T2C polymorphism and DD in Brazilian patients tested.