HLA*A2 confers mortality risk for cardiovascular disease in Pimans

A sample of 1465 full heritage Piman Indians from Arizona were typed for the serological antigens of the HLA class I loci and then incorporated into a survival study that ended December 31, 1991. The total follow-up time was 11,749 person-years with an average of 8.0 years per person. During the study 298 persons died, 54 from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Allele HLA*A2 conferred a 4.94 fold rate for death from CVD (95% C.I. 1.91-12.77). When controlled for the potential confounding variables, cholesterol, mean blood pressure, smoking, body mass index, rheumatoid factor titer, and nephropathy, the mortality rate ratio (MRR) was 5.42 (95% C.I. 1.98-14.82). There was no statistically significant association of mortality with other HLA-A or HLA-B alleles, or for causes of death not related to cardiovascular disease.