High density lipoproteins, genetic polymorphism for apo A‐I and coronary artery disease

HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A‐I are associated with the development of coronary artery‐disease (CAD). The presence of a PstI site polymorphism adjacent to the gene encoding apo A‐I (known as P₂) has also been shown to be associated with CAD but this relationship is controversial. A case control study was conducted in an Australian population to re‐examine whether the rare P₂ allele is associated with CAD. Data were derived from 159 cases of angiographically confirmed CAD and 99 healthy controls. The proportion of CAD cases carrying the P₂ allele did not differ significantly from controls (11% versus 9%). In a multiple logistic regression model controlling for the effects of age, country of birth, hypertension and hypotensive drugs, body mass index and lipid variables, the P₂ allele failed to predict significantly the presence of CAD (odds ratio 1.83; 95% confidence interval 0.65–5.19).