Deletion polymorphism in the gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme is associated with essential hypertension in men born during the Pacific War

Abstract

Age is a strong risk factor for hypertension in relation to vascular aging. Additional etiological factors include: lifestyle, genetic factors, and their interactions. The aim of this study is to examine whether an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with essential hypertension in Korean born during the Pacific War. A total of 13,914 healthy subjects (8261 men, 5653 women) aged 20–79 years were examined. Subjects with abnormal renal, thyroid dysfunction, or electrolyte levels were excluded. Logistic regression analysis showed increased risk (OR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01–1.31) in men, but not in women (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.89–1.26). However, after adjustment for age, obesity, cholesterol, alcohol consumption, and diabetes mellitus, increased risk in men was not significant (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.98–1.42). Analyzed according to birth-year, DD genotype showed increased risk for hypertension in only a subgroup of men (adjusted OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.16–2.09; p = 0.001), born during the Pacific War (1941–1945 year). Findings suggest that the ACE DD genotype plays a role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension, in conjunction with adverse environmental conditions in early life, with sex-related difference.