Relationship of apolipoprotein (APOE) ε4 gene polymorphism with the risk of ischemic stroke: A hospital based case-control study

Background and purposeThe apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele has been considered as an important gene variant which may lead to elevated level of cholesterol and thereby related with higher risk of ischemic stroke (IS). The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship of APO-ε4 gene polymorphism with the risk of IS in North Indian population.MethodsA total of 250 IS subjects and 250 gender and age matched control subjects were included from inpatient and outpatient Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India from period of October 2012 to November 2014.ResultsThe average age and standard deviation was 52.8 ± 12.6 years for IS cases and for control subjects 50.9 ± 12.7 years. A significant association was found between APO-ε4 gene polymorphism and IS risk under dominant model (adjusted OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.49 to 4.77), recessive model (unadjusted OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.33 to 8.30) and allelic model (OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.65 to 3.22) for overall stroke. Further carrying out stratified analysis as per TOAST classification, demonstrated a significant association for Large Vessel Disease (LVD) under recessive model was observed.ConclusionThe present study suggests that APO-ε4 gene variant may be an important genetic risk factor for IS. Further large genome wide studies are needed to validate the present findings.