Association between vitamin D receptor gene FokI polymorphism and mortality in patients with sepsis

Abstract

Background: Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction as a result of the host's dysregulated immune response to infection. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene FokI polymorphism influences immune cell behavior. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between VDR FokI polymorphism and mortality in sepsis and non-sepsis patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods and results: This is a prospective observational study involving 96 sepsis and 96 non-sepsis patients admitted to the Ege University ICU. VDR FokI polymorphisms were investigated, as well as the relationship between the identified polymorphisms and mortality. In-hospital mortality was 27.1% in the sepsis group and 8.33% in the non-sepsis group (p = 0.001). The frequencies of VDR FokI TT, TC, and CC genotypes were 8 (8.33%), 48 (50.0%), and 40 (41.7%) in the sepsis group, and 11 (11.5%), 42 (43.8%), and 43 (44.8%) in the non-sepsis group, respectively (p = 0.612). In the sepsis group, the frequencies of Fokl TT, TC, and CC genotypes did not differ significantly between survivors and non-survivors. However, homozygous C allele carriers had lower overall mortality (p = 0.047).

Conclusion: The VDR FokI polymorphism, particularly the CC genotype, appears to be associated with lower mortality in ICU patients.

Keywords: FokI; Mortality; Polymorphism; Sepsis; Vitamin D receptor.