title: GABRA6 genetic polymorphism is associated with the risk of functional heartburn in Chinese.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Polymorphisms of GABA(A)alpha6 (GABRA6)-1521 and IL-1beta-511 have been linked with susceptibility to stress and gastric acid secretion. The aim of this study was to assess psychiatric profiles and GABRA6 and IL-1beta genotypes in functional heartburn, an important esophageal reflux condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Psychological symptoms were assessed with a Brief Symptom Rating Scale and personality traits with a short-form Maudsley Personality Inventory. DNA from 452 healthy controls, 80 controls with neurosis, and 122 patients with functional heartburn was genotyped with PCR-RFLP technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptom-scale parameters (except hostility) were significantly higher in patients with functional heartburn than in healthy controls; their neuroticism scores were also higher, but extroversion scores were lower. Distribution of GABRA6 genotypes in patients with functional heartburn showed more heterozygotes than among healthy controls and neurotic subjects, but distributions of IL-1beta genotypes were similar. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed GABRA6 heterozygosity was significantly associated with functional heartburn (odds ratio, 2.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.36-4.12; P < 0.01) even after adjustment for age, sex, Helicobacter pylori infection, General Symptom Index, and score of neuroticism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chinese patients with certain psychiatric characteristics and GABRA6 heterozygosity are probably predisposed to functional heartburn, providing insight into this condition's psychopathology and genetics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Chia
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hsiu-Po
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Han-Mo
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Shih-Pei
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Shih-Cheng
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Ming-Fong
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jaw-Town
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ming-Shiang
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006356:Heartburn / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: C546171:GABRA6 protein, human; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A