No association between tumour necrosis factor receptor type 2 gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis severity: a comparison of the extremes of phenotypes.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between the tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) 196 M/R single-nucleotide polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) severity by taking advantage of the extremes of phenotype that exist in arthritis.


METHODS
From the Leiden Early Arthritis Cohort (1700 patients), we selected patients who initially had the diagnosis of definite or probable RA according to the ACR criteria and developed complete remission (71 patients) or had the worst progression, to destructive disease (72 patients). A group of 135 healthy controls was included. The TNFR2 genotype was determined in these groups.


RESULTS
The extremes of phenotypes did not differ significantly in genotype distribution. No difference in genotype distribution between rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates that even by comparing the extremes of phenotypes no association between the TNFR2 genotype and disease severity can be detected in Caucasian patients with sporadic RA.
van der Helm-van Mil
A H M
AH
Department of Rheumatology, C4-R, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. AvdHelm@lumc.nl
Dieudé
P
P
Schonkeren
J J M
JJ
Cornélis
F
F
Huizinga
T W J
TW
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II