Polymorphisms of interleukin-1β and MUC7 genes in burning mouth syndrome.

Objective: The objectives of the present study are to compare polymorphisms of the IL-1β and MUC7 genes between patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and controls and to investigate relationships between these polymorphisms and clinical characteristics in BMS patients. Materials and methods: Forty female BMS patients and 40 gender- and age-matched controls were included. Genomic DNA was extracted from saliva samples. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of IL-1β −511 and +3954 and variation in number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism of MUC7 were analyzed. Relationships between genotypic polymorphism data and clinical characteristics in BMS patients were also analyzed. Results: There were no significant differences in the genotypes of IL-1β −511 and +3954 and of MUC7 between the groups. There were no significant differences in symptom duration and intensity of BMS patients according to their IL-1β and MUC7 genotypes. The T allele of IL-1β −511 showed associations with psychometry results in BMS patients: paranoid ideation ( P = 0.014), Global Severity Index ( P = 0.025), and Positive Symptom Total ( P = 0.008). Conclusions: The genotypic polymorphisms of IL-1β −511 and +3954, and of MUC7 VNTR, had no direct associations with the development of BMS. However, the T allele of IL-1β −511 may increase the risk of BMS by increasing psychological asthenia. Clinical relevance: The genotypic polymorphisms of IL-1β −511 may increase the risk for the development of BMS by increasing psychological asthenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]