Polymorphisms in the Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene and Associations with Glucocorticoid-Induced Avascular Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head.

Aims: Individual sensitivity to glucocorticoid (GC) therapy might play a pivotal role in the development of GC-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (GANFH). In a growing number of studies, common polymorphisms of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 [NR3C1]) have been associated with variability in the individual sensitivity to GCs. However, whether the NR3C1 gene polymorphisms actually influence the susceptibility of GANFH remains unknown. Methods: In this study, we report the findings of a case–control study to investigate the role of the NR3C1 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GANFH susceptibility among 78 GANFH patients (GCs sensitive) and 115 GC-resistant controls. Results: Our results found no significant associations between the SNPs N363S, Tth111I, BclI, ER22/23EK, and A3669G with GANFH susceptibility. The G allele frequency, both homozygous and heterozygous, of SNP BclI was significantly different between control and GANFH combined...