Vitamin D receptor gene BsmI and TaqI polymorphisms and fracture risk: A meta-analysis

Introduction Fracture is the major clinical outcome of osteoporosis. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene is thought to be a candidate gene for osteoporosis. Many genetic studies have suggested an association of VDR polymorphisms and osteoporosis, but evidence remains conflicting. Materials and Methods We searched published studies from 1996 to September 2005 through PubMed and evaluated the genetic effect of the BsmI and TaqI polymorphism of VDR on fracture risk in a meta-analysis. Thirteen studies with a total of 20 eligible comparisons (1632 fracture cases and 5203 controls) were analyzed with fixed and random effects models. Result No evidence of relationship between the VDR BsmI or TaqI polymorphism and fracture risk was observed with any genetic model. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of b-allele versus B-allele was 0.98 (0.86–1.12) with random effects calculations. There was significant between-study heterogeneity. Small studies did not differ significantly from larger ones. Conclusion No relationship of the VDR BsmI or TaqI polymorphism and fracture risk was found in the meta-analysis of published data.