Objective To investigate the genetic predisposing factor of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by studying the distribution of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms in patients with COPD in Changsha.Methods Totally 120 COPD patients and 120 volunteers were enrolled in the study.Polymorphisms of VDR genes including Apa I and Bsm I were detected with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragments length polymorphism (RFLP).Results There existed statistical difference in polymorphism of Apa I gene and frequency of distribution on its allele between two groups (P ＜ 0.05),while there is no significant difference on Bsm I gene between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions COPD is associated with the polymorphism of VDR-Apa I.There may be no relationship on VDR-Bsm I between two groups.