evaluation of tumor necrosis factor alpha polymorphism frequencies in endometriosis

background: the pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (tnf-α), is a pathogenic element for a number of disorders. previous studies have reported that the -1031 t/c and -238 g/a polymorphisms in the promoter region of the tnf-α gene are important factors in reproductive-related disorders. one of the most common gynecological diseases of women during the reproductive years is endometriosis. this study aims to assess an association between the -1031 t/c, -238 g/a and -308 g/a polymorphisms of the tnf-α gene promoter region to endometriosis. materials and methods: in this case-control study, we enrolled 65 endometriosis patients and 65 matched healthy control women by simple sampling. polymerase chain reaction (pcr) analysis was used to analyze -1031 t/c, -238 g/a and -308 g/a polymorphisms in the tnf-α gene promoter region. statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. results: we found a strong association between the -1031 t/c polymorphism in the promoter region of the tnf-α gene with endometriosis (p=0.001). there were no significant associations between the -238 g/a (p=0.243) and -308 g/a (p=1) polymorphisms with endometriosis and again endometriosis stages have no association with these polymorphisms. conclusion: the -1031 t/c polymorphism and cc genotype can be used as a relevant marker to identify women at risk of developing endometriosis.