Association of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients from North Coastal Andhra Pradesh

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, symmetrical, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that primarily affects small joints, progression to large joints. About 1% of the world's population is affected by rheumatoid arthritis, women three times more frequent than men. The onset is more common between the ages of 40 and 50 years. Other than genetic, environmental factors have been associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with several autoimmune disorders especially with RA. One of the candidate gene of RA is vitamin D receptor (VDR). The role of VDR has been well-known in variety of metabolic disorders and in regulation of inflammation. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of VDR Fok1 (rs10735810) and VDR Bsm1 (rs1544410) gene polymorphisms in RA patients and controls from North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Methods: A total of 300 samples (150 RA patients and 150 controls) were included in the present study and genotyping was accomplished by using PCR – RFLP technique. Results: Data was analyzed by SPSS 19 software. Chi square „p‟ value revealed that VDR Fok1 (rs10735810) polymorphism has association with RA and VDR Bsm1 (rs1544410) polymorphism does not shows association with RA. Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study revealed that the VDR FokI (rs10735810) gene polymorphism is associated with RA and VDR Bsm1 (rs1544410) gene polymorphism does not shows association with RA.