ATIC 347C>G gene polymorphism may be associated with methotrexate-induced adverse events in south Indian Tamil rheumatoid arthritis.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To find the association of ATIC 347C>G gene polymorphism with methotrexate (MTX) treatment response and MTX-induced adverse events in south Indian Tamil patients with rheumatoid arthritis. PATIENTS & METHODS: A total of 319 rheumatoid arthritis and 310 healthy controls were recruited for the study and ATIC 347C>G gene polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: The genotype and allele frequencies of ATIC 347 C>G SNP did not differ between good and nonresponders and hence this SNP was not found to be associated with MTX treatment response. However, the ATIC 347 GG genotype (p = 0.02; odds ratio [OR] 4.46; 95% CI 1.28-15.52) and mutant G allele was associated with MTX-induced gastrointestinal adverse events (p = 0.01; OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.27-5.35). CONCLUSION:  ATIC 347C>G gene polymorphism may be associated with the development of MTX induced gastrointestinal adverse events.