Lack of association or interactions between the IL-4, IL-4Rα and IL-13 genes, and rheumatoid arthritis
2008

Study on IL-4, IL-4Rα, and IL-13 Genes in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sample size: 1953 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Marinou Ioanna, Till Simon H, Moore David J, Wilson Anthony G

Primary Institution: The University of Sheffield

Hypothesis

The study aimed to investigate the role of polymorphism in the IL-4, IL-4Rα, and IL-13 genes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Conclusion

Common variants of the IL-4/IL-13 pathway do not significantly contribute to RA susceptibility and radiological severity.

Supporting Evidence

  • No significant associations were detected between the studied SNPs and RA susceptibility.
  • Genotype, allele, and haplotype frequencies were similar between RA cases and controls.
  • Suggestive evidence of epistasis was found but was not statistically significant after correction.

Takeaway

The study looked at certain genes to see if they affect rheumatoid arthritis, but found that they don't really make a difference.

Methodology

965 Caucasian patients with RA and 988 healthy controls were genotyped for variants in the IL-4/IL-13 gene cluster and IL-4Rα.

Limitations

The study may have missed some genetic effects due to its cross-sectional design and minimum disease duration of 3 years.

Participant Demographics

965 white Caucasian individuals with RA and 988 healthy unrelated individuals.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.03

Confidence Interval

1.0 to 1.6

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/ar2454

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