Aim
To describe the allelic frequency of NOD2/CARD15 gene variants among Kuwaiti patients with CD and investigate potential genotype/phenotype associations.
Background
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing two (NOD2/CARD15) gene polymorphisms are implicated in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD).
Conclusion
NOD2/CARD15 gene polymorphisms were significantly associated with an increased risk of disease and aggressive phenotypes among the Kuwaiti CD population.
Methods
Adult Kuwaiti citizens with an established diagnosis of CD and healthy controls were enrolled from October 2018 to May 2020. Three common NOD2/CARD15 polymorphisms (R702W, G908R, and L1007fs) and P268S and IVS8+158 polymorphisms were screened by polymerase chain reaction/restriction analysis length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP).
Results
Ninety adult Kuwaiti patients with CD and 210 healthy subjects (as controls) were recruited. P268S, IVS8+158, G908R, and R702W minor alleles were identified in 38.9%, 21.1%, 12.2%, and 4.4% of CD patients, respectively. NOD2/CARD15 polymorphisms coexisted in 35 healthy controls (16.7%) and 21 CD patients (23.3%). Individuals with either a single or multiple polymorphism were approximately two times more likely to have CD than those with no polymorphism. Patients with multiple polymorphisms had significantly more stricturing and penetrating disease.