Characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis relative to HLA-DR in Saudi Arabia

Authors

• Abdurhman S. Al-Arfaj, Rheumatology Division, Department of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel/Fax. +966 (1) 4672573. E-mail: asarfaj{at}ksu.edu.sa

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis in Saudi Arabia in relation to human leukocyte antigen type. METHODS: A group of 91 rheumatoid arthritis patients, 72 females and 19 males were studied for the various clinical, laboratory and radiological parameters along with human leukocyte antigen-DR phenotypes. Since human leukocyte antigen-DR10 was most commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis in our population, we compared those patients with human leukocyte antigen-DR10 to those without. RESULTS: The comparison yielded differences in the presence of rheumatoid nodules, erosions, corticosteroid treatment, joint involvement at presentation, hemoglobin levels, and white cell count. Only the last 3 parameters showed a statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Human leukocyte antigen type of Saudi patients with rheumatoid arthritis influenced the course of the disease but only to a limited extent.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

595

Last Page

598

Recommended Citation

Al-Arfaj, Abdurhman S. (2001) "Characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis relative to HLA-DR in Saudi Arabia," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 22: Iss. 7, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.1458