Significance of histocompatibility genes in rheumatology

Because of the tremendous impact of recent findings of association between genes in the major histocompatibility system and certain rheumatic diseases, the genetics of this system and the methods of analyzing disease association are discussed in detail. These associations represent an important step forward in the search for basic causes and mechanisms of these diseases. Further analyses may permit better classification of diseases and increased understanding of the relationships between genetic and environmental factors in the susceptibility to specific disease.