Z Gastroenterol 2006; 44 - P_5
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-955475

The +1059G/C polymorphism in the CRP gene is associated with decreased serum CRP levels and involvement of the terminal ileum in patients with Crohn's disease

D Thalmaier 1, J Dambacher 1, J Seiderer 1, A Konrad 1, V Schachinger 1, S Pfennig 1, JM Otte 3, A Crispin 4, B Göke 1, T Ochsenkühn 1, P Lohse 2, S Brand 1
  • 1Department of Medicine II – Grosshadern, University of Munich, Germany
  • 2Department of Clinical Chemistry – Grosshadern, University of Munich, Germany
  • 3Department of Medicine I, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
  • 4Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Munich-Grosshadern, University of Munich, Germany* These authors contributed equally to the work.

Background/Aims: Recently, a single nucleotide polymorphism in the CRP gene (1059G/C) has been reported. Our aim was to analyze the influence of this CRP polymorphism on the susceptibility and phenotype of Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: Using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, genomic DNA from 241 patients with CD and from 199 unrelated controls was analyzed for the +1059G/C substitution in the CRP gene and the three common CARD15 variants (R702W, G908R, L1007fsinsC). Serum CRP concentrations were measured using a latex based high-sensitivity immunoassay. Results: Homozygous C/C carriers were detected only among CD patients (p=0.066). While only 128 of the 219 patients with the wildtype G/G genotype (58.4%) had an involvement of the terminal ileum, the terminal ileum was affected in 15 of 17 (88.2%) of the heterozygous G/C carriers (OR 5.26; 95% CI 1.19–23.92) and 4 of the 5 C/C homozygous carriers (80%; OR 4.55; 95% CI 1.64–16.67; p=0.008 for hetero- and homozygous carriers vs. wildtype) which was independent of the presence of CARD15 variants in multivariate analysis. Increased CD activity was associated with increased CRP serum levels (p<0.005). For CDAI <150, C/C homozygosity for the +1059 G/C polymorphism was associated with significantly lower CRP serum levels (p<0.01). Conclusions: The C allele of the CRP +1059G/C polymorphism is associated with decreased serum CRP levels and disease involvement of the terminal ileum. Homozygous C/C carriers were found only in the CD group. Larger trials are necessary to evaluate if homozygosity for the C allele is associated with CD.