Pharmacogenetic Differences in Response to Albuterol between Puerto Ricans and Mexicans with Asthma

Background: In the United States, Puerto Ricans and Mexicans have the highest and lowest asthma prevalence, morbidity, and mortality, respectively. Ethnic-specific differences in the response to drug treatment may contribute to differences in disease outcomes. Genetic variants at the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) may modify asthma severity and albuterol responsiveness. We tested the association of β2AR genotypes with asthma severity and bronchodilator response to albuterol in Puerto Ricans and Mexicans with asthma. Methods: We used both family-based and cross-sectional tests of association with 8 β2AR single nucleotide polymorphisms in 684 Puerto Rican and Mexican families. Regression analyses were used to determine the interaction between genotype, asthma severity, and bronchodilator drug responsiveness. Results: Among Puerto Ricans with asthma, the arginine (Arg) 16 allele was associated with greater bronchodilator response using both family-based and cross-sectional tests (p = 0.00001–0.01). We found a...