Do specific HLA antigens predispose to ischaemic heart disease or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy?
BACKGROUND
The aetiology of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is believed to have an immunological component. Association with human leucocyte antigens (HLAs) has been previously reported, particularly with HLA-DR4.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the association of HLA type with diagnosis in a group of patients assessed for heart transplantation.


METHODS
A comparison was made of frequencies of HLA types in patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy or (n = 98) ischaemic heart disease (n = 170) and in controls from the North Western region (n = 857).


RESULTS
Neither the patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy nor those with ischaemic heart disease showed a significant increase or decrease in any HLA frequency compared with the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that there is no HLA association with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy or ischaemic heart disease. This conflicts with the results of some previous studies.
Grant
S C
SC
Department of Cardiology, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.
Sheldon
S
S
Dyer
P A
PA
Levy
R D
RD
Brooks
N H
NH
D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000276:immunology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000276:immunology*
D006680:HLA Antigens