BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships of CYP2C9 and COX-2 genetic polymorphisms with therapeutic efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 130 AS inpatients and outpatients in the Arthritis and Rheumatism Department of Peking University First Hospital and 106 healthy people getting routine check-ups between September 2013 and July 2014. CYP2C9 and COX-2 genetic polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP. All AS patients underwent medical treatment and 12-week follow-up treatment. Score differences of BASDAI, ASAS20, ASAS50, and ASAS70 for AS patients with different genotypes before and after treatment were compared.

RESULTS: In terms of COX-2–1290A/G and -1195G/A gene polymorphism genotype and allele frequency, the case group and control group were obviously different (all P<0.05), but CYP2C9*3 polymorphism genotype and allele frequency were not statistically different between the 2 groups (P>0.05). AS patients had improved BASDAI, ASAS20, ASAS50, and ASAS70 scores after they received NSAID treatment (all P<0.05). Furthermore, the efficacy of NSAID in treatment of AS and COX-2 gene -1290A/G and -1195G/A polymorphism were associated (all P<0.05), but it is not associated with CYP2C9 *3 polymorphism (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: COX-2-1290A/G and -1195G/A polymorphism may increase AS risk and they both can be considered as biological indicators for prediction of efficacy of NSAIDs in treatment of AS.

Keywords: Antirheumatic Agents, Polymorphism, Genetic, Spondylitis, Ankylosing