Association of phosphodiesterase 4D gene with ischemic stroke in a Pakistani population

Background and Objectives-Identification of STRK1 locus by the deCODE group followed by the discovery of phosphodiesterase 4D ( PDE4D) gene in strong association with ischemic stroke patients has provided useful insights toward understanding the genetic etiology of the disease. In this study, we aimed at investigating the association between 3 polymorphisms of the PDE4D gene and ischemic stroke in the Pakistani population. Methods-Three polymorphisms in PDE4D gene were analyzed in 200 patients of ischemic stroke and 250 controls of Pakistani origin using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Data were coded and entered in SPSS Windows ( version 12.0). Odds ratios and 95% CIs were calculated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results-Marker SNP83( rs966221) was found significantly associated with ischemic stroke on univariate and multivariate analysis ( P < 0.005; odds ratio, 1.64 [ 1.13 to 2.40]). Haplotype analysis for markers in linkage disequilibrium failed to show any association with the disease. Conclusion-The association of PDE4D variation with ischemic stroke extends to the Pakistani population and supports a role for phosphodiesterases in stroke pathogenesis.