PROBLEM: We investigated the association of COX -2 gene-765G/C polymorphism and risk of advanced-stage endometriosis in Korean women.
METHOD OF STUDY: This study consisted of 268 women with advanced-stage endometriosis and 242 control women without endometriosis in Korea. Subjects were genotyped for the -765G/C polymorphism of the COX -2 gene by RFLP-PCR analysis.
RESULTS: There were significant differences in the genotype distributions of the -765G/C polymorphism between patients with advanced-stage endometriosis and control subjects. The C allele for -765G/C was associated with significantly lower risk of advanced-stage endometriosis (OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.06-0.30).
CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated a significant genetic association between the -765G/C polymorphism and advanced-stage endometriosis in Korean women. The -765C allele may be protective against the development of the disease in Korean women.