Association between APOE genotypes and metabolic syndrome in a middle aged and elderly Urban South Indian population

This study examines the association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in an older urban population in South India, as part of the Tata Longitudinal Study on Aging.

A total of 618 participants aged 45 and above were analyzed cross-sectionally for the association between APOE carrier status and MetS (based on both NCEP ATP III and Consensus criteria).

Despite the high prevalence of MetS observed in this cohort (51.62 % by NCEP-ATP III and 61.33 % by Consensus criteria), multivariable logistic regression revealed no significant association between APOE genotypes and MetS under both criteria. However, specific associations were noted in age and sex-stratified analyses; notably, E2 carriers under 60 showed 0.42-fold decreased odds (95%CI:0.20,0.89, p-value-0.023) for an increased waist circumference, and E4 carriers above 60 were at 1.85 times increased odds (95 % CI:1.04,3.28, p-value<0.05) for decreased HDL.

These findings suggest that while APOE genotypes influence certain metabolic parameters, their impact on MetS may be limited in this urban setting, possibly overshadowed by environmental factors and lifestyle influences, which was highlighted by the differences seen in its sister rural cohort.