HLA haplotypes in non-familial rheumatoid arthritis.

The frequencies of HLA-A, B, C, DR, and BF haplotypes in 44 unrelated Caucasian patients with definite seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were compared with haplotype frequencies in controls. Overall, the patients had an increased risk for HLA-DR4, DR3, and DR2 antigens, but frequencies of certain DR4 or DR3 haplotypes were not increased, suggesting the importance of other HLA loci for the evaluation of risk. The presence of DR4 alone was not found to produce an increased risk for RA since the frequencies of certain DR4 haplotypes were similar in patients and controls.

HLA antigens and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

HLA antigens and clinical features in a series of 46 Caucasian patients (40 females, 6 males) and definite repeatedly seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of more than two years' duration (mean 11.6 years) were compared with those in 77 seropositive RA patients and 110 controls of the same ethnic and geographic origin. Seronegative RA appeared to be less often erosive than seropositive RA, and seronegative patients had fewer extra-articular features.

HLA-DR genotype risks in seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

We studied the distribution of HLA-A, B, C, and -DR antigens in 77 Caucasian patients with sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis. Forty-four patients were genotyped and compared with the control panel of 110 unrelated Caucasian genotyped donors. The data obtained confirm the association of DR4 with RA, and reveal an increased risk of disease for patients carrying DR1, DR2, and DR3, compared to the risk for those carrying other antigens, such as DR5, DRw6, and DR7.

HLA system and side effects of gold salts and D-penicillamine treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Among 67 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with gold salts (aurothiopropanol sulphonate) a significant correlation (p less than 10(-2)) was noted between gold toxic reactions, whatever their type, and the HLA antigens A1, B8, Cw7, and DR3. Forty-two patients were genotyped, and a correlation was observed between gold side effects and the haplotype A1 Cw7 B8 DR3 (p less than 10(-2), RR = 8.0).

[Rheumatoid arthritis and HLA system. A search for correlations between histocompatibility antigens and characteristic features of the disease].

Possible correlations between the HLA antigens A, B, C and DR and the clinical and biological features of rheumatoid arthritis were investigated in 74 patients with positive serology. The DR 4 antigen was present in 46 of these patients (62%), being apparently more frequent in those whose disease had begun before the age of 35 (p less than 0.05).