HLA-DR4 and career prospects in rheumatology: is there a link?
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether HLA type is associated with career progress in rheumatology.


METHODS
Comparison of HLA type after HLA analysis of samples of venous blood.


METHODS
Department of Rheumatology Research, University of Birmingham.


METHODS
All (37) staff in the department.


RESULTS
All the senior academics and most staff with a PhD expressed HLA-DR4. The prevalence of expression in each of these groups was significantly greater than that found in the controls. None of the junior doctors or secretaries expressed DR4.


CONCLUSIONS
The junior doctors in the department have poor career prospects as HLA-DR4 seems to be associated with academic achievement.
Department of Rheumatology Research, University of Birmingham.
A
A
Gough
J
J
Faint
M
M
Salmon
P
P
Bacon
P
P
Emery
D002321:Career Choice; D002322:Career Mobility; D004522:Educational Status; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D012108:Research Personnel; D012219:Rheumatology
D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen