Polymorphisms of the BARX1 and ADAMTS17 Locus Genes in Individuals With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) represents a common condition having a substantial impact on the patients' quality of life, as well as the health system. According to many studies, the and genes have been suggested as genetic risk loci for the development of GERD and its complications. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential association between GERD and and polymorphisms. The present is a prospective cohort study of 160 GERD patients and 180 healthy control subjects of Greek origin, examined for BARX1 and ADAMTS17 polymorphisms (rs11789015 and rs4965272) and a potential correlation to GERD. The rs11789015 AG and GG genotypes were found to be significantly associated with GERD ( = 0.032; OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.062.57 and = 0.033; OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.15-7.82, respectively), as well as the G allele ( = 0.007; OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.14- 2.24). Concerning the rs4965272, only the GG genotype was significantly associated with GERD ( = 0.035; OR, 3.42; 95% CI, 1.06-11.05). This is a study investigating the potential correlation between and polymorphisms and the development of GERD, showing a considerable association between both polymorphisms and the disease. This finding suggests that esophageal differentiation or altered regulation on microfibrils in the cell environment could be implicated as possible mechanisms in the pathogenesis of GERD.