Biomedical subjects

Katariina Luoma

Publications and source records attributed to Katariina Luoma.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and susceptibility of hand osteoarthritis in Finnish women.

We examined whether polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene was associated with individual risk of hand osteoarthritis (OA). Radiographs of both hands of 295 dentists and of 248 teachers were examined and classified for the presence of OA using reference images. The VDR ApaI and TaqI genotypes were determined by PCR-based methods. No association was observed between the VDR polymorphisms and the odds of overall hand OA. However, the carriers of the VDR t allele or At haplotype were at almost half the odds of symmetrical hand OA (odds ratio [OR] = 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38-0.94 and OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.38-0.93, respectively) compared with the carriers of the T allele and of the non-At haplotype, respectively. Increased odds of this disease, on the contrary, was observed for women with two copies of the VDR a allele (OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.99-3.70) compared with women with the AA genotype. Conversely, the VDR a allele carriage was associated with a tendency of lowered odds of osteophyte (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.25-1.03). When the genotype data were used to construct haplotypes, the VDR AaTt joint genotype appeared to pose a remarkably lower odds (OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.08-0.91) of osteophyte compared with the AAtt joint genotype. As a novel finding we observed a joint effect of a low calcium intake and VDR polymorphisms on symmetrical OA; the OR was 2.64 (95% CI = 1.29-5.40) for carriers of the aT haplotype with low daily calcium intake compared with non-carriers of the haplotype with high daily calcium intake. Our results suggest that VDR gene polymorphisms play a role in the etiology of symmetrical hand OA. Moreover, the association between the VDR gene and OA may be modified by calcium intake.

Female↗

PubMed2005

Intervertebral disc degeneration in relation to the COL9A3 and the IL-1ss gene polymorphisms.

Disc degeneration is a complex condition in which environmental factors and multiple genes are expected to act together to determine the degenerative phenotype. Recently associations of COL9A2 (Trp2 allele) and COL9A3 (Trp3 allele) polymorphisms with lumbar disc disease characterized by sciatica have been reported. However, it is not known whether the Trp2 or Trp3 alleles contribute to disc degeneration (DD). In this study, the association between the collagen genes polymorphisms and lumbar DD was investigated. Furthermore, the influence of the IL-1beta(C(3954)-T) polymorphism on the association of collagen genes polymorphisms with DD was examined. Lumbar intervertebral discs of 135 middle-aged occupationally active men were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging, using decreased signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus, disc bulges, and decreased disc height as signs of degeneration. Blood samples were analysed for the presence of COL9A3 and COL9A2 tryptophan alleles (Trp3 and Trp2 alleles). The COL11A2, COL2A1 and IL-1beta(C(3954)-T) polymorphisms were also analysed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis allowing for occupation and body mass index showed that the carriage of the Trp3 allele in the absence of the IL-1betaT(3954) allele increased the risk of dark nucleus pulposus (OR 7.0, 95% CI 1.3-38.8) and joint occurrence of degenerative changes (OR 8.0, 95% CI 1.4-44.7). There was no effect of the Trp3 allele on DD in the presence of the IL-1betaT(3954) allele. The carriers of the COL11A2 minor allele had an increased risk of disc bulges (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0-4.2) as compared with non-carriers. The results suggest that the effect of the COL9A3 gene polymorphism on DD might be modified by the IL-1beta gene polymorphism.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Liver echogenicity: relation to systemic blood pressure and other components of the metabolic syndrome.

We studied the impact of liver echogenicity among other potential predictors of systemic blood pressure (BP) and the metabolic syndrome. 38 persons (32 males, six females, aged 29 to 66) had their liver echogenicities scored, BPs measured and standard serum laboratory tests studied. There was a significant correlation between both systolic (r=0.438, p=0.006) and diastolic (r=0.498, p=0.001) BP and liver echogenicity. Liver echogenicity was the strongest predictor for systolic BP and the second strongest (after body mass index, BMI) for diastolic BP. Body height may modify the relation between liver echogenicity and systolic BP. Liver echogenicity also correlated significantly with BMI (r=0.527, p=0.001), serum triglycerides (r=0.472, p=0.003) and, to a lesser degree, with serum total cholesterol (r=0.305, p=0.066). Incidentally found increased liver echogenicity should alert the US performer and the clinician reading the report on the possibility of elevated BP or other features of the metabolic syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Hand workload and the metacarpal cortical index. a study of middle-aged teachers and dentists.

We studied load-related predictors (handedness, occupation and workload history) of cortical bone mass as estimated by the metacarpal cortical index (MCI). After being randomly selected from trade-union registers, 295 female dentists and 248 teachers, aged 45-63 years (mean 54 years), participated in the study. The MCI was defined from the second metacarpal of both hands by analogue radiographs. Data regarding anthropometric measures, handedness, occupational exposure, number of pregnancies, hormonal therapy and contraceptive use, the presence of chronic diseases, dietary factors, smoking and leisure time physical activity were collected by questionnaire. Weight was measured. The dentists' workload was assessed in detail in 10-year periods. Multivariate methods were used in the statistical analysis. The metacarpal index averaged 0.62 in the right hand and 0.61 in the left hand (P = 0.02) among the right-handed subjects, while no differences by hand were observed among the left-handed or mixed-handed. The MCI of the teachers and dentists did not differ from each other, when we controlled for potential confounders. The MCI decreased similarly by age in both occupational groups. Among the dentists, workload history was inversely associated with the MCI in multivariate analyses by age group. Computer use was a positive predictor for MCI among dentists aged 55-63 years. Occupational factors seem to have contradictory effects on the MCI. Too heavy or one-sided manual work may be deleterious for cortical bone mass.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

Lumbosacral transitional vertebra: relation to disc degeneration and low back pain.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) study. OBJECTIVE To investigate the relation of the lumbosacral transitional vertebra to signs of disc degeneration in MRI and to low back pain (LBP). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: An association between the transitional vertebra and herniation in the disc above has been found in patients with LBP, but knowledge of the relation to other degenerative disc changes detected in MRI and to LBP is lacking. METHODS: MR images of the lumbar spine of 138 middle-aged working men and 25 healthy young men were evaluated. The presence and type of lumbosacral transitional vertebra and of degenerative changes in intervertebral discs were evaluated. The history of low back symptoms was obtained with a questionnaire from the middle-aged men. RESULTS: The prevalence of transitional vertebra was 30%. Transitional vertebra was associated with an increased risk of degenerative changes in the disc above among the young men and with a decreased risk in the disc below among the middle-aged men. Transitional vertebra, symmetric or asymmetric, was not associated with any type of LBP in the middle-aged men. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbosacral transitional vertebra increases the risk of early degeneration in the upper disc. This effect seems to be obscured by age-related changes in the middle age. The degenerative process is slowed down in the lower disc. For these effects, the presence of a transitional vertebra should be noticed when morphologic methods are used in research on lumbosacral spine. Transitional vertebra is not associated with any type of LBP.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Liver echogenicity: measurement or visual grading?

OBJECTIVE: Two methods to assess liver echogenicity were compared. METHODS: Liver/kidney echogenicity ratio was measured in 41 persons with the ultrasound software and visually graded by two radiologists and a radiographer. These echogenicity ratios and grades were related to risk factors for fatty liver and to liver enzyme levels. RESULTS: These determinants explained 55% of the radiologists' mean grades, 14% of the radiographer's and 31% of the measured echogenicity ratios. CONCLUSION: Radiologists' visual gradings correlated best with the indirect determinants of early liver pathology. Computerized measurements may be inferior to visual grading due to the lack of holistic tissue diagnostics.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Interleukin 1 polymorphisms and intervertebral disc degeneration.

BACKGROUND: Enzymatic breakdown of the extracellular matrix, and possibly local inflammation, contributes to intervertebral disc degeneration. We investigated whether polymorphisms within the IL-1 gene locus are associated with lumbar disc degeneration and whether the effect of occupational physical load on disc degeneration is modified by the polymorphisms. METHODS: Genotypes were determined from 133 middle-aged men who underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine. The participants represented 3 occupations: 40 were machine drivers, 42 carpenters, and 51 office workers. We evaluated decreased signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus, disc bulges, and decreased disc height as signs of degeneration in the L2/L3-L5/S1 discs. RESULTS: The odds ratio for disc bulges was 2.4 (95% confidence interval = 1.2-4.8) and 1.9 (1.0-3.7), in carriers of the IL-1alphaT or IL-1betaT alleles, respectively. The TT genotype of the IL-1alpha gene carried more than 3-fold risk of disc bulges as compared with the CC genotype. CONCLUSIONS: IL-1 gene cluster polymorphisms could affect the risk of disc degeneration. The effect of physical workload seems to be modified by the IL-1 gene polymorphisms.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

COL9A3 gene polymorphism and obesity in intervertebral disc degeneration of the lumbar spine: evidence of gene-environment interaction.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the interaction between the COL9A3 gene polymorphism and persistent obesity in relation to lumbar disc degeneration. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Obesity has been suggested to be a risk factor for disc degeneration. There is some indication for an association between collagen IX genes and lumbar disc disease characterized by sciatica. However, the interaction between those factors in their influences on the risk of disc degeneration has not been studied. METHODS: Blood samples from 135 middle-aged men who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine were analyzed for the presence of an arginine to tryptophan change in the COL9A3 gene (Trp3 allele). The men represented three occupations: 41 were machine drivers, 42 were carpenters, and 52 were office workers. The discs L2/L3-L5/S1 were evaluated on MRI, using decreased signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus, posterior disc bulges, and decreased disc height as signs of disc degeneration. Based on self-reports on body height and weight currently and at the age of 25 years, obesity history was classified as no obesity, persistent obesity, and other. Rothman's synergy index was used as a measure of interaction between two factors. RESULTS: The Trp3 allele and persistent obesity acted synergistically to increase the risk of dark nucleus pulposus, posterior disc bulge, and decreased disc height at L4/L5; of multilevel posterior disc bulges; and of decreased disc height. From 45% to 71% of disc degeneration among persistently obese individuals with the Trp3 allele could be attributed to the synergism of these two factors. CONCLUSION: The effect of obesity on lumbar disc degeneration seems to be modified by the collagen IX gene polymorphism, so that people who carry the Trp3 allele are at increased risk if they are persistently obese.

Alleles↗