Interferon gamma gene polymorphism and susceptibility to, and severity of,rheumatoid arthritis

A strong association between an interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) gene polymorph ism and rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility and severity has been reported In a case-control study. We investigated this polymorphism in 103 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and 130 controls. Severity of rheumatoid ar thritis was measured after 4-year follow-up with a validated radiographic s core. The median radiographic score In patients increased from 1 (IQR 0-4) to 11.5 (2-35) over the 4-year follow up. The distribution of IFN-gamma all eles did not differ between patients and controls, and the distribution of radiographic scores did not differ among patients carrying the different IF N-gamma alleles. We have failed to confirm the association between the IFN- gamma gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility or severity .