The role of interleukin-1 gene polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Our aim is to assess the relationship between interleukin 1β (IL-1 β), (-511,-31 alleles), interleukin 1RN (IL-RN), Helicobacter pylori (HP) status and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) diagnosed by pH monitoring in the Turkish population. MATERIALS AND METHODS A Total of 100 consecutive patients with GERD were enrolled in the study. Genotypes of IL-1β (-511,-31), IL-1RN gene polymorphisms and HP status of the patients were analyzed. RESULTS While thirty-two patients were diagnosed as esophagitis with varying severity the remaining patients had no esophagitis. Seventy six participants were positive for HP and the remaining patients were negative. The difference between erosive and non-erosive groups was statistically significant when we compared IL-1β (-511) but no difference regarding IL-1β (-31) and IL-1RN variations. We also analyzed T/T, C/T and C/C alleles and the difference was significant statistically in T/T allele between patients with and without erosive GERD 1 (3.1%) vs. 12 (17.9%), respectively with a p value<0.05. But C/C, C/T alleles of (-511), (-31) and IL-1RN polymorphisms were not statistically significant between the groups. CONCLUSION IL-1β genetic polymorphisms may take part in the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease.