Single polymorphism nucleotide rs1333049 on chromosome 9p21 is associated with carotid plaques but not with common carotid intima-media thickness in older adults. A combined analysis of the Three-City and the EVA studies

Atherosclerosis. 2012 May;222(1):187-90. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.02.038. Epub 2012 Mar 3.

Abstract

Objectives: To address the relationship of rs1333049, the 9p21 variant showing the strongest association with coronary heart disease (CHD), with carotid plaques and plaque-free common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) in older adults from 2 French population-based cohorts.

Methods: We genotyped for rs1333049, 4097 CHD-free participants including 3191 aged 65-86 years from the Three-City (3C) Study and 906 aged 59-71 years from the Vascular Aging Study (EVA). Plaque-free mean CCA-IMT and the presence of carotid plaques were assessed.

Results: In multivariate analysis, each C allele copy of rs1333049 was associated with baseline carotid plaques (odds ratio (OR)=1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.13-1.36; p<0.001) but not with baseline CCA-IMT (p=0.19). Among the EVA participants, the C allele was associated with 4-year plaques progression (p=0.04) but not with CCA-IMT progression.

Conclusion: The chromosome 9p21 locus might influence CHD risk through carotid plaques development.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carotid Artery, Common / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Intima-Media Thickness*
  • Carotid Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Stenosis / genetics*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 / genetics*
  • Coronary Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide