Importance of the HLA group in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of rheumatoid polyarthritis
Dryll, A.
Revue du Rhumatisme et des Maladies Osteo-Articulaires 55(6): 453-454
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-2659 PMID: 3393842 Document Number: 325736
Determination of HLA typing in patients affected with rheumatologic diseases, is a major diagnosis tool. Beside the classic association HLA B27-ankylosing spondylitis, recent studies have demonstrated an anomaly high frequency of HLA-DW4 and HLA-DR4 in patients with rheumatoid polyarthritis as compared to a reference population. It has also been possible, in this disease, to determine HLA groups with a more severe rheumatoid arthritis and a higher risk of undesirable effects. However, these findings are, in practice, of limited interest, since the cost of such investigation does not justify looking for them systematically in order to establish a diagnosis, evaluate a prognosis or anticipate a therapeutic accident.