Stratified analyses based on disease type revealed a significant relationship between the GDF5 rs143383 polymorphism and increased risk of IDD under all genetic models studied (allele model: OR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.13–1.86, P = 0.004; homozygote model: OR = 2.33, 95%CI 1.55–3.51, P = 0.000; heterozygote model: OR = 1.84, 95%CI 1.34–2.52, P = 0.000; dominant model: OR = 2.11, 95%CI 1.57–2.86, P = 0.000; recessive model: OR = 1.44, 95%CI 1.02–2.04, P = 0.037). The gene discussed is GDF5; the disease is intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.