title: HLA-DR4 in ankylosing spondylitis with different patterns of joint involvement.
abstract: Fifty patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) confined to the spine and sacroiliac joints were compared with 50 cases of AS complicated by various patterns of non-axial joint involvement. Radiological and clinical features were evaluated and HLA-DR4 typing was carried out. This antigen was found in 16% of 200 normal individuals in 18% of patients suffering from exclusively axial AS, and in 54% of patients with additional purely peripheral joint involvement (wrist, finger, ankle, toe). The possibility that HLA-DR4 represents a non-specific marker for peripheral arthritis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II