[HLA and rheumatoid arthritis]

In a study on the frequency of the HLA A, B, C and DR antigens seen in 100 controls and 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the authors found a significant increase in the DR4 antigen in rheumatoid arthritis. (50% as against 25%; X2 = 8,5; 0,04 greater than Pc greater than 0,008; RR = 3,43). The other antigens on loci A, B. C and DR are not altered significantly. However the increase in DR4 which does not seem to be related to the severity of the rheumatoid arthritis, seems to be proportional to the level of rheumatoid factor. The authors review literature on HLA in rheumatoid arthritis and the figures for the antigenic frequency of HLA-DR4 are compared with their own results. The findings are of interest especially from a pathogenic point of view.