[HLA-antigens in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

109 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from the north of the GDR were HLA typed and the antigen frequencies compared with those of a control group. Even in our patients the HLA-DR4 association was demonstrable. But in all studies DR4 association is not strong enough for taking HLA typing as a diagnostic test for RA. There was an immunogenetic heterogeneity in correlation to side effects of therapy with sodium aurothiomalate or D-penicillamine. HLA-DR5 was significantly increased in patients with side effects in comparison to patients without side effects in therapy. Before recommending HLA-DR typing for selection of high risk patients in D-penicillamine therapy these results should be proven in a large patient group or in a second study.