Authors: J A Riancho C Valero M T Zarrabeitia
Publish Date: 2006/11/14
Volume: 79, Issue: 5, Pages: 289-293
Abstract
The C677T rs1801133 polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase MTHFR has been associated with bone status in some studies but the results have been mixed In order to have a better understanding of this issue we performed a metaanalysis of studies about the association of the C677T polymorphism and bone mineral density BMD Eight studies analyzed the relationship with spine BMD When their results were combined individuals with TT genotype showed a small but significantly reduced BMD compared to those with TC and CC genotypes The weighted mean difference WMD was 180 mg/cm2 P = 0001 95 confidence interval CI 71–289 without statistical evidence for betweenstudy heterogeneity P = 028 I2 = 17 Six studies analyzed femoral neck BMD A test for heterogeneity was significant P = 003 I2 = 56 Individuals with TT alleles tended to have somewhat lower BMD but the difference was not statistically significant In random effects model the WMD between the TT and TC/CC genotypes was 64 mg/cm2 95 CI –78 to 212 P = 036 Total hip BMD was measured in four studies They showed a significantly lower BMD in subjects with TT alleles WMD 197 95 CI 53341 mg/cm2 P = 0007 in comparison with TC/CC subjects When we considered only studies on women the WMD in BMD between TT and TC/CC genotypes was significant at the spine 221 mg/cm2 95 CI 86356 P = 0001 and the femoral neck 155 mg/cm2 95 CI 43267 P = 0007 There was no evidence for heterogeneity The small number of studies did not allow a meaningful sexstratified analysis of total hip BMD or a separate analysis of male data In conclusion the C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene is associated with small differences in BMD at least in women
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