Objectives: The allelic variants in the NOD2/CARD15 gene G908R, R702W, and 1007fs are strongly and independently associated with susceptibility to Crohn's disease (CD). Our aim was to compare the NOD2/CARD15 genotype and the genotype-phenotype correlation in Jewish pediatric patients with CD (</=16 years of age) with older patients with CD.
Study design: Carrier frequencies of the three variants were determined in 67 children and 144 adults with CD. Variants were detected by using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion assay. Demographic and phenotypic characterizations of the patients were determined.
Results: The carrier rate of the three NOD2/CARD15-associated variants was 51.5% in children and 37.5% in adults (P=.07). The most prevalent allele variant was G908R (allele frequency 18% in children, 11% in adults; P=.063). Young Ashkenazi patients had the highest allele frequency of G908R, and higher than Ashkenazi adults: 25% and 9%, respectively (P=.003). Children had more family history of inflammatory bowel disease and more inflammatory-type disease, with no relation to variant allele carriage.
Conclusions: G908R allele-variant of the NOD2/CARD15 gene is closely related with the appearance of CD at a young age in Jewish Ashkenazi patients.