Interleukin 1 beta polymorphism (-511) and risk of stroke due to small vessel disease

Background: Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in atherogenesis and thrombosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the IL-1 beta gene polymorphism ( - 511) and the risk of large vessel disease (LVD) stroke, small vessel disease (SVD) stroke and cardioembolic (CE) stroke. Methods: We genotyped 115 patients with LVD stroke and 194 matched controls, 122 patients with SVD stroke and 227 controls and 221 patients with CE stroke and 219 controls. The IL-1 beta polymorphism was analyzed by a polymerase chain reaction followed by a restriction enzyme digestion. Results: The allele T distribution did not change significantly between patients with LVD stroke and their controls nor between patients with CE stroke and their controls. The frequency of the T allele was higher in patients with SVD stroke than in the control group (37.7 vs. 30.4%, p = 0.05). After adjustment for vascular risk factor, the TT genotype was an independent risk factor for SVD stroke ( OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.17 - 4.94). Conclusions: The TT genotype of the IL-1 beta gene may be associated with an increased risk of SVD stroke. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.