PNPLA3 gene polymorphism and overall and cardiovascular mortality in the United States

The association between palatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) I148M (rs738409) polymorphism and mortality is not well understood. We investigated the impact of PNPLA3 I148M (rs738409) polymorphism on overall and cardiovascular mortality based on the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1991 to 1994 and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III-linked mortality data through 31 December 2015 were utilized in this study.

Of 4814 participants, 50.7% were homozygous for the C-allele and 12.6% were homozygous for the G-allele. During a follow up of 20 years, there were a total of 1255 deaths, 422 attributed to cardiovascular disease. There was a significant association with overall mortality among those with the PNPLA3 I148M (rs738409) GG genotype (hazard ratio [HR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.77) or G-allele (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.09-1.36) in the general population. NAFLD with homozygous PNPLA3 I148M (rs738409) GG genotype had higher overall mortality after adjusting for multiple metabolic risk factors (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.01-2.08). The PNPLA3 I148M (rs738409) G-allele had a tendency of increased cardiovascular mortality in the total population. This association was not noted in those with NAFLD.

The homozygous PNPLA3 I148M (rs738409) GG genotype showed an increase in overall mortality in the general population and NAFLD independent of multiple metabolic risk factors.