Abstract: The invention provides methods, nucleic acids, compositions and kits for predicting a subject's response to treatment with one or more vasopressin receptor agonists to identify subjects having a greater benefit from treatment with vasopressin receptor agonist(s). The method generally comprises determining a vasopressin pathway associated gene polymorphism genotype(s) of a subject for one or more polymorphisms in the these genes, comparing the determined genotype with known genotypes for the polymorphism that correspond with an improved response genotype to identify potential subjects having an inflammatory condition who are more likely to benefit from treatment with a vasopressin receptor agonist and subsequent to treatment recover from the inflammatory condition. The invention also provides for methods of treating such subjects with vasopressin receptor agonists based on the subject's genotype.