A genetic association study of the IGF-1 gene and radiological osteoarthritis in a population-based cohort study (the Rotterdam Study).

Objective: A genetic association study was performed to investigate whether radiographical osteoarthritis (ROA) was associated with specific genotypes of the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) gene.

Methods: Subjects aged 55-65 years were selected from a population-based study of which ROA at the knee, hip, spine, and hand was assessed. Genotypes were determined of a polymorphism in the promoter region of the IGF-1 gene.

Results: The IGF-1 locus was significantly associated with the presence of ROA (over-all adjusted OR for heterozygous subjects = 1.9, 95% CI 1.2, 3.1 and for homozygous subjects 3.6, 95% CI 0.8, 16.2).

Conclusion: These results suggest that variation at the IGF-1 locus is associated with ROA development and may play a part in ROA pathogenesis. To confirm these findings replication in another population-based sample is needed.