The A1166C mutation in the angiotensin II type I receptor and hypertension in the elderly

1. Using a nested case-control study of 661 non-institutionalized elderly (≥ 60 years) residents of Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia, the aim of this study is to determine whether the A1166C polymorphism of the angiotensin II type I (AT₁) receptor gene is associated with hypertension in the elderly. 2. Individuals were classified as isolated systolic hypertension (ISH, n = 146), systolic diastolic hypertension (SDH, n = 188), or normotensive, age- and sex-matched controls (n = 327). AA, CC and AC genotypes were determined using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of DNA generated by nested polymerase chain reaction. 3. A univariate analysis (χ²) was complemented by a logistic regression analysis, facilitating adjustment for potential confounders. The unadjusted genotype and allele frequencies in ISH or SDH subjects did not differ significantly from the control subjects (χ² = 3.0, P = 0.55, 4 d.f.; χ² = 3.0, P = 0.23, 2 d.f., respectively). After adjustment for potential confounders neither genotype nor allele predicted ISH or SDH in this cohort. 4. From this study we conclude that the A1166C polymorphism of the AT₁ receptor gene is not a marker for ISH nor for SDH in this large, elderly community sample.