HLA-DR genotypes in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome in Taiwan

Different human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes have been known to be associated with the risk of development of Sjögren's syndrome in different populations, but this association has never been reported in Taiwan. We enrolled 1044 subjects (673 patients, 371 controls) and tested their HLA-DR genotypes. We found an increased risk of Sjögren's syndrome in patients carrying HLA-DR8. DR1 and DR14 were associated with increased risk of eye involvement (uveitis, scleritis or optic neuritis), while DR15 was associated with increased risk of interstitial lung disease. DR8 was associated with increased risk of formation of multiple antibodies: anti-Ro, rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) reaching titer 1:80 or above. DR9 was associated with decreased risk of formation of anti-La antibodies and increased risk of formation of antithyroglobulin antibodies. DR10 was associated with risk of formation of anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, and DR11 was associated with increased risk of formation of anti-La antibodies. Oral ulcer was found to be negatively associated with anti-Ro antibodies and with anti-ENA antibodies. Skin lesions were associated with ANA antibody titer elevation to 1:80 or above. Malignancies of any kind were associated with the presence of cryoglobulin. Females were more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age than males. There was no statistically significant relationship between HLA-DR genotype and age at disease diagnosis. In patients with Sjögren's syndrome in Taiwan, the presence of HLA-DR8 appeared to be a risk factor. In addition, we found several associations between HLA-DR genotype, clinical presentation, and autoantibody status among them.