Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha 238 G/A polymorphism and its relation to severity and cardiovascular risk in psoriasis

Abstract

Abstract Background Psoriasis is known as chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease affecting about 3% of the world’s population. Cytokine gene polymorphism attracted considerable interest as they have been found to alter gene transcription thereby influencing inflammatory processes in response to various diseases. Subjects A total of 50 psoraitic patients and 50 controls were genotyped for TNF–α −238G/A polymorphism by using polymerase chain reaction. ECG and lipid profile were done to assess cardiovascular risk. Results Polymorphism of TNF–α −238 was not found to be associated with an increased risk for psoriasis (p value 0.98). There is significant difference between cases and controls as regard systolic and diastolic blood pressure . Conclusion Our findings suggest that there is no association between TNF alpha polymorphism and risk of psoriasis in Egyptian psoraitic patients.