Objective: The alpha2C adrenoreceptor deletion 322-325 (ADRA2C del 322-325) polymorphism has been associated with autonomic activity and thermoregulation, which are implicated in the vasomotor symptom (VMS) mechanism. The ADRA2C del (322-325) has higher prevalence in African American women, a group known to experience more frequent and bothersome VMS. We assessed whether the ADRA2C del (322-325) genotype is associated with increased frequency of VMS in African American women.
Methods: DNA samples from African American (N = 400) women participating in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) were genotyped for the ADRA2C del (322-325) polymorphism. Longitudinal data on VMS were obtained from the SWAN repository. The relation of ADRA2C del (322-325) genotypes (deletion/deletion [D/D]; insertion/deletion [I/D]; insertion/insertion [I/I]) with VMS over the menopausal transition for up to 12 years of follow-up was examined using generalized estimating equations. Primary models considered the outcome of frequent VMS (6 or more days in the prior 2 wk vs VMS <6 d in the prior 2 wk) by stage of menopause.
Results: Four hundred DNA samples from African American women were included. Seventy-five women (18.8%) were found to carry the homozygous variant allele (D/D). There was no significant difference in the trajectory of frequent VMS over the menopausal transition between women with D/D and I/I + I/D genotypes (P = 0.39).
Conclusions: In this preliminary study among African American women in SWAN, ADRA2C del (322-325) was not significantly related to self-reported VMS. Further studies are warranted to help us understand the role of the adrenergic system in the physiology of VMS to tailor medical therapy to patient needs.