Association of Polymorphism −174G/C Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Schizophrenia in Bataknese Population

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by positive symptoms, negative, and cognitive deficits. Polymorphism of −174G/C interleukin-6 position of the promoter has been described as one of polymorphism that believes have association with schizophrenia and Batak people have a philosophy of life, principles, and at the same time as a structure and system in society called Dalihan na Tolu. This Dalihan na Tolu has a role in the Batak customary marriage laws that cannot be separated during a customary marriage ceremony according to the traditions of the Batak people. This system causes most Batak people to marry each other so that the purity of the population is maintained and can be applied according to Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium.

AIM: Hence, we looked for association in the polymorphism of −174G/C interleukin-6 between people with schizophrenia of the Bataknese population and healthy controls.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study that included 75 people with schizophrenia in the Bataknese population and 75 healthy controls with the same ethnic group. The alleles and genotypes polymorphisms were compared between people with schizophrenia in the Bataknese population and healthy controls and were tested statistically using Chi-square.

RESULTS: Frequency of appearance of allele and genotype of −174G/C polymorphism found that there were significant differences in both alleles and genotypes between groups of people with schizophrenia and healthy control groups (p < 0.001) and −174G/C polymorphisms were risk factors for schizophrenia statistically in the Bataknese population (Odds Ratio >1).

CONCLUSIONS: We report an association of −174G/C polymorphism and schizophrenia in Bataknese population and polymorphism of −174G/C may be one of the risk factors for schizophrenia in the Bataknese population.