OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the growth hormone gene (GH) promotor polymorphism (rs2854184) is associated with the occurrence or curve severity of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

METHODSTwo hundred and sixty-five AIS patients and 193 normal controls were recruited. The maximum Cobb angles were recorded in AIS patients. PCR-RFLP was used for the genotyping.

RESULTSThe genotype frequency distribution were AA 38.3%, AT 50.3%, TT 11.4% in AIS patients and AA 39.6%, AT 50.2%, 10.1% TT in controls for the promotor polymorphism rs2854184 in GH gene. It was comparable between AIS and normal control. The allele frequency distribution was also comparable between AIS and normal control. It was 63.5% for allele A, 36.5% for allele T in AIS patients and 64.7% for allele A, 35.3% for allele T in normal control. The mean maximum Cobb angle in AIS patients with AA, AT, TT genotypes were 33.8 degrees +/- 10.0 degrees, 36.4 degrees +/- 15.0 degrees, 34.5 degrees +/- 9.1 degrees, respectively, it was similar with each other.

CONCLUSIONThe GH gene promoter polymorphism is neither associated with the occurrence nor the curve severity of AIS.