Influence of ATG SNPs on hip fracture patients' functional status

One of the key factors influencing the prognosis of older patients with hip fracture is their previous functional status. Autophagy has been related to bone disease and to osteoporosis onset. Some studies have analyzed the relationship of certain genetic determinants with the risk of suffering a fragility fracture but evidence is lacking regarding the influence of genetic factors on the functional status of hip fracture patients. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between autophagy genes single nucleotide polymorphisms and the functional status in older hip fracture patients. A prospective observational study was conducted at the Orthogeriatric Unit of the University Hospital of Salamanca including 84 patients aged over 80 years old who underwent surgical treatment for hip fracture. Sociodemographic variables were collected upon hospital admission. The following geriatric scores were analyzed: Barthel index, Katz index, Lawton Brody index and Physical Red Cross Scale, and cross-studied to the following Autophagy-related gene polymorphisms: ATG2B rs3759601, ATG16L1 rs2241880 and ATG10 rs1864183. ATG10 rs1864183 and ATG2B rs3759601 are significantly related to the functional status of older hip fracture patients. The GG genotype of ATG2B rs3759601 was associated with better functional status of older hip fracture patients, compared to patients presenting the C allele. The T allele of ATG10 rs1864183 would determine a better functional situation for older hip fracture patients. We found no statistical relationship of ATG16L1 rs2241880 on the functional status recorded. In conclusion, the autophagy process appears to be associated with the functional status of older hip fracture patients and consequently may play a role in their prognosis.