Genome-wide association study of osteoporosis identifies genetic risk and interactions with dietary factors in a Hispanic cohort of older adults

Authors: FOUHY, LIAM - University Of Massachusetts; Lai, Chao Qiang; Parnell, Laurence; ORDOVAS, JOSE - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; TUCKER, KATHERINE - University Of Massachusetts; NOEL, SABRINA - University Of Massachusetts

Submitted to: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2024
Publication Date: 3/14/2024
Citation: Fouhy, L.E., Lai, C., Parnell, L.D., Ordovas, J.M., Tucker, K.L., Noel, S.E. 2024. Genome-wide association study of osteoporosis identifies genetic risk and interactions with dietary factors in a Hispanic cohort of older adults. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. Volume 39, Issue 6, pp 697-706. https://doi.org/10.1093/jbmr/zjae047.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jbmr/zjae047

Interpretive Summary: Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them more susceptible to fractures. This study examined 978 older Hispanic adults to determine if certain genes and dietary habits make them more prone to this condition. Four genes were identified that appear to increase the likelihood of developing osteoporosis, along with two other genes linked to the density of bones in the spine and hip. Interestingly, the study also revealed that diet, particularly the consumption of sugary beverages, can interact with these genes to influence bone health. In summary, both genetic factors and dietary habits play a role in the likelihood of developing osteoporosis.

Technical Abstract: Background: Osteoporosis (OP) and low bone mass can be debilitating and costly conditions if not acted on quickly but are difficult to diagnose as symptoms develop unnoticed until fracture occurs. Therefore, gaining understanding of the genetic risk associated with these conditions could be beneficial for healthcare professionals in early detection and prevention. Methods: The Boston Puerto Rican Osteoporosis (BPROS) study, an ancillary study to the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, collected information regarding bone and bone health. All bone measurements were taken during regular BPROS visits using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Dietary variables were collected at 2-year BPRHS follow up via food frequency questionnaire. We conducted genome-wide associations with bone outcomes including BMD and OP for 978 participants. We also examined the interaction of dietary quality on the relationship between genotype and bone outcomes. We further tested if candidate genetic variants described in previous GWAS on OP and BMD contribute to OP risk in this population. Results: Four variants were associated with OP: rs114829316, rs76603051, rs12214684, and rs77303493, and two variants with BMD of lumbar spine (rs11855618) and hip (rs73480593), reaching the genome-wide significance threshold of P=5E-08. In a gene-diet interaction analysis, we found that one SNP showed a significant interaction with the overall DASH score, and 7 SNPs with sugar-sweeten beverages, a major contributor to the DASH score. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive genome-wide analysis identifying new genetic markers related to osteoporosis and bone mineral density in older Hispanic adults. Additionally, we uncovered unique genetic markers that interact with dietary quality, specifically sugar-sweetened beverages, to impact bone health. These findings can guide in early detection and preventative care.