Vitamin D Receptor Start Codon Polymorphism (Fok I) and Bone Mineral Density in Chinese Men and Women

The relationship between Fok I polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor start codon, bone mineral density (BMD) and vertebral fractures was studied in 684 Chinese men and women. A significant trend was observed only in Chinese women aged 70–79 years. The mean BMD at the total body was 0.85 ± 0.01 g/cm², 0.82 ± 0.01 g/cm²and 0.84 ± 0.01 g/cm² for elderly women of the FF, Ff and ff genotypes respectively (p= 0.06 by ANOVA). Similar but statistically non-significant trends were observed at the hip and spine. However, no association between BMD and the Fok I genotype was observed in younger women (aged 50–59 years) and elderly men (aged 70–79 years). In all study groups, there was no effect of an interaction between Fok I polymorphism and calcium intake on BMD (p>0.05 for the interaction effects by two-way ANOVA). No significant association was observed between Fok I polymorphism and vertebral fracture in elderly men or women (p>0.05 by the chi-square test). We conclude that the Fok I polymorphism may have a weak effect on the BMD of elderly Chinese women. Received: 2 February 2001 / Accepted: 27 August 2001