Abstract

Background Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) is an idiopathic avascular necrosis of the capital femoral epiphysis of the femoral head with multifactorial etiology. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of IL-6 polymorphisms with LCPD risk in Iranian children. Methods: The study comprised of 45 children diagnosed with LCPD and 60 healthy subjects. The IL-6 -174G>C and -597G>C polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP assay. Odds ratios (OR) and 95 confidence intervals (CI) were calculated on the risk genotypes and alleles. Results: The mutant homozygote genotype (CC) of IL-6 -174G>C polymorphism was associated with increased risk of LCPD (OR 3.554; 95 CI: 0.1.578-8.004; p=0.002). There was no significant association between IL-6 -597G>C polymorphism and an increased risk of LCPD. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the IL-6 -174G>C but not the IL-6 -597G>C polymorphism may increase LCPD susceptibility in Iranian children.