The role of TaqI, ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms of VDR gene in lumbar spine pathologies: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between TaqI (rs731236), ApaI (rs7975232) and BsmI (rs1544410) polymorphisms of the VDR gene and lumbar spine pathologies such as lumbar disc herniation and lumbar disc degeneration.

Background: VDR gene polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with an increased risk of lumbar spine pathologies.

Materials and methods: A systematic search was performed up to February 2020 using PubMed, EBSCO and Web of Science databases. We used the keywords and combinations "lumbar disc degeneration," "lumbar disc herniation," "lumbar spine pathologies" and "VDR polymorphism." Subsequently, we performed a meta-analysis with the results of the included studies.

Results: We found that the TaqI polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of developing lumbar spine pathologies (recessive model OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01-1.54) and lumbar disc degeneration (allelic model OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07-1.48; recessive model OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.06-1.69), but not with lumbar disc herniation. Additionally, ApaI was associated with an increased risk of developing lumbar spine pathologies (heterozygous model OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.06-1.98), but not with lumbar disc herniation or lumbar disc degeneration.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that TaqI and ApaI polymorphisms of the VDR gene are important risk factors for developing lumbar spine pathologies. Moreover, the TaqI polymorphism is a risk factor for lumbar disc degeneration.

Keywords: ApaI; BsmI; Lumbar disc degeneration; Lumbar disc herniation; TaqI.