The HLA-DR2 Haplotype Causes an Earlier Age of Onset, But Does Not Affect Disease Severity, Cognition or Cerebral Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: The HLA-DR2 (short for DRB*1501-DQB1*0602) haplotype increases the risk to develop MS 2 to 3 fold. However, the role of MS susceptibility genes such as HLA-DR2 on MS severity is an area of some controversy. Although most studies report no influence of HLA-DR2 on MS severity, a recent study reported increased susceptibility of conversion to SPMS in carriers of HLA-DR2. Previous studies vary in the disease severity markers that are used. In addition, few studies have investigated the influence of HLA-DR2 using MRI measures of MS severity despite the fact that persistent T1 hypointensity and MRI measured white matter atrophy are markers of MS disability.