After stratification by ethnicity, there was a significant association between the IL-1α (+889C/T) polymorphism and risk of IDD in Caucasians (TT versus CC: OR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.45, 6.04; Pheterogeneity = 0.82; TT versus CC/CT: OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.18, 4.47; Pheterogeneity = 0.20). The gene discussed is IL1A; the disease is intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.