Abstract
Eighty-three patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were investigated for HLA-DQ and DR locus restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP). Of the 83 patients, 61 (73%) possessed the DR4 allele and within this group we have investigated the relative frequencies of two DQ beta gene variants of DQw3, DQw7 and DQw8, one of which we had previously found to be raised in Felty's syndrome. This analysis revealed a significantly higher frequency of DQw7 containing haplotypes in DR4 positive rheumatoid patients (64%) than in DR-matched healthy controls (42%). Furthermore, the distribution of DQw7 was biased towards those patients with greater disability indicated by the HAQ score, more systemic disease and higher titres of rheumatoid factor, suggesting that DQw7 may contribute to disease expression.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
