To further evaluate the impact of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) promoter polymorphisms on the stress response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients an insulin hypoglycaemia test (IHT) was performed studying the dynamics of CRH production.
Polymorphisms of the human CRH promoter were determined in controls and cortisol naive patients with early RA. Serum glucose and plasma CRH were measured at baseline and up to 120 min following induction of hypoglycemia.
During IHT RA patients bearing the A2B2 allele exhibited an earlier CRH response compared to A1B1 positive patients.
Stress-induced response of CRH is differentially modulated by CRH promoter polymorphisms in RA patients.