Patterns of angiotensin converting enzyme insertion/deletion gene polymorphism among an Egyptian cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: This case control study was designed to determine the patterns of angiotensin converting enzyme insertion/deletion (ACE I/D) gene polymorphism in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls.

Methods: The study population was divided into two groups: the study group included 66 RA patients diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for RA, and the control group included 66 healthy adults who were age-and sex-matched to the RA group. All RA patients were assessed by Disease Activity Score (DAS28), ACR Classification of Global Functional Disability Status and Sharp's score as outcome measures.