Association of the ER22/23EK polymorphism in the glucocorticoid receptor gene with survival and C-reactive protein levels in elderly men

van Rossum, Elisabeth F.C; Feelders, Richard A; van den Beld, Annewieke W; Uitterlinden, André G; Janssen, Joop A.M.J.L; Ester, Wietske; Brinkmann, Albert O; Grobbee, Diederick E; de Jong, Frank H; Pols, Huibert A.P; Koper, Jan W; Lamberts, Steven W.J

doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2004.01.027

Next »The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 117, Issue 3 , Pages 158-162, 1 August 2004

Association of the ER22/23EK polymorphism in the glucocorticoid receptor gene with survival and C-reactive protein levels in elderly men☆

Elisabeth F.C van Rossum, MD
- Department of Internal Medicine (EvR, RF, AvdB, AU, JJ, WE, FdJ, HP, JK, SL), Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Requests for reprints should be addressed to Elisabeth F. C. van Rossum, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Room Ee 585 B, Erasmus Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Richard A Feelders, MD, PhD
- Department of Internal Medicine (EvR, RF, AvdB, AU, JJ, WE, FdJ, HP, JK, SL), Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Annewieke W van den Beld, MD, PhD
- Department of Internal Medicine (EvR, RF, AvdB, AU, JJ, WE, FdJ, HP, JK, SL), Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
André G Uitterlinden, PhD
- Department of Internal Medicine (EvR, RF, AvdB, AU, JJ, WE, FdJ, HP, JK, SL), Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Joop A.M.J.L Janssen, MD, PhD
- Department of Internal Medicine (EvR, RF, AvdB, AU, JJ, WE, FdJ, HP, JK, SL), Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Wietske Ester, MD
- Department of Internal Medicine (EvR, RF, AvdB, AU, JJ, WE, FdJ, HP, JK, SL), Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Albert O Brinkmann, PhD
- Department of Reproduction and Development (AB), Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Diederick E Grobbee, PhD
- Julius Center (DG), University of Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Frank H de Jong, PhD
- Department of Internal Medicine (EvR, RF, AvdB, AU, JJ, WE, FdJ, HP, JK, SL), Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Huibert A.P Pols, MD, PhD
- Department of Internal Medicine (EvR, RF, AvdB, AU, JJ, WE, FdJ, HP, JK, SL), Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Jan W Koper, PhD
- Department of Internal Medicine (EvR, RF, AvdB, AU, JJ, WE, FdJ, HP, JK, SL), Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Steven W.J Lamberts, MD, PhD
- Department of Internal Medicine (EvR, RF, AvdB, AU, JJ, WE, FdJ, HP, JK, SL), Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Received 17 June 2003; received in revised form 29 January 2004; accepted 29 January 2004.

Abstract

Purpose

We recently demonstrated that a polymorphism in codons 22 and 23 of the glucocorticoid receptor gene is associated with relative glucocorticoid resistance, greater insulin sensitivity, and lower total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. In the present study, we investigated whether the ER22/23EK polymorphism is associated with survival, cholesterol levels, and two predictors of mortality: serum C-reactive protein and interleukin 6 levels.

Methods

We studied 402 men (mean [± SD] age, 77.8 ± 3.6 years). C-reactive protein was measured by a highly sensitive method using a latex-enhanced immunoephelometric assay. Interleukin 6 was determined by a commercially available immulite assay.

Results

After a follow-up of 4 years, 73 (19%) of 381 noncarriers died, while none of the 21 ER22/23EK carriers had died (P = 0.03). C-reactive protein levels were about 50% lower in ER22/23EK carriers (P = 0.01). There were no differences in interleukin 6 levels.