Prevalence of osteoporosis and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms (FokI) in an Iranian general population based study (Kurdistan) (IMOS)

BACKGROUND Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass density (BMD) and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and increased risk of hip, spine, and wrist fractures. There are numerous risk factors for osteoporosis. While many of these factors are non-genetic in nature, there is a definite genetic component responsible for this condition. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the association between VDR (Vitamin D receptor gene) polymorphisms (Fok1) A>G (rs2228570) and bone mineral density in an Iranian defined population. METHODS The study participants comprised of 1032 Iranians recruited from the city of Sanandaj during IMOS (Iranian Multi Center Osteoporosis Study). Bone mineral density measurement was performed in all the participants with and without osteoporosis. All samples were genotyped for VDR genes (Fok1) polymorphism with polymerase chain reaction, using a predesigned TaqMan allele discrimination assay. RESULTS There was a significant association between Fok1 polymorphism and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, 0.138 (0.025-0.768). CONCLUSION It seems that cohort studies, which are more powerful than case-control studies, can be useful in evaluating the roles of genetic variants as risk or protective factors for osteoporosis.