IL-23R Polymorphisms in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis in Korea

Objective. IL23R polymorphisms have been shown to have a significant association with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). To date, these Studies have been restricted to Caucasian patients with AS. Our Study addresses this relationship in Korean patients with AS. Methods. A total of 451 patients with AS and 392 ethnically matched healthy controls were enrolled. All patients were native Koreans with AS satisfying the modified New York criteria. In total, 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within the IL-23R gene cluster were genotyped. Results. No IL-23R SNP were found to be associated with AS in Koreans. Conclusion. The association of IL23R and AS that is seen in Caucasian patients with AS is not present in Korean patients with AS. (First Release April 15 2009; Rheumatol 2009;36:1003-5; doi: 10.3899/jrheum.081121)