Cyclooxygenase-2 polymorphisms confer susceptibility to sarcoidosis but are not related to prognosis.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this multicenter study was to investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) gene and susceptibility to sarcoidosis, as well as the relation between these SNPs and the evolution of the disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This multicenter investigation involved seven hospitals in Spain. We used a case-control design followed by a prospective follow-up study. Sarcoid patients were recruited from the participating institutions during outpatient routine visits. Age- and gender-matched control subjects were recruited mainly from among outpatients attending the participating hospitals. Four SNPs in the COX2 gene (COX2.5909 T > G, COX2.8473 T > C, COX2.926 G > C, and COX2.3050 G > C) were genotyped using fluorescent hybridization probes among 131 patients with sarcoidosis (63 males; mean age: 47 +/- 15 years) and 157 healthy controls (83 males; mean age: 50 +/- 16 years). We employed a binomial multiple logistic regression analysis to test the association between the selected SNPs and disease susceptibility. The clinical, functional and radiological prognosis of the sarcoidosis patients was determined after a mean follow-up of 37.4 +/- 30.4 months.

RESULTS

Carriers of the homozygous CC genotype of the COX2.8473 T > C polymorphism had a higher risk of sarcoidosis compared with TT carriers (OR: 3.08; 95% CI: 1.2-7.7; p = 0.035). 84% of patients achieved improvement or complete remission at follow-up. No association between the investigated SNPs and prognosis was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the homozygous CC genotype of the COX2.8473 T > C polymorphism may be associated with sarcoidosis susceptibility. No significant association with prognosis was detected.