Rheumatoid factor and antikeratin antibody are independent from presence of DR4 or DR1 in rheumatoid arthritis.
BACKGROUND
Presence of HLA-DR4, rheumatoid factor, and antikeratin antibody may predict severe rheumatoid arthritis.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate potential associations between HLA DR4, rheumatoid factor and antikeratin antibody in rheumatoid arthritis patients.


METHODS
Retrospective review of 169 patients followed at the Rangueil Teaching Hospital rheumatology department for rheumatoid arthritis.


RESULTS
No differences in prevalences of DR4 and DR1 were found between patients with and without rheumatoid factor or between patients with and without antikeratin antibody, suggesting that the production of rheumatoid factor and/or antikeratin antibody is not dependent on genetic factors. Substantial overlap was seen between rheumatoid factor and antikeratin antibody. All three parameters can be identified at first evaluation of a patient with joint disease.


CONCLUSIONS
It would be of interest to evaluate the cumulative predictive value of DR4 or DR1, rheumatoid factor and antikeratin antibody at disease onset.
Rheumatology Department, Rangueil Teaching Hospital, Toulouse, France.
A
A
Cantagrel
A
A
Constantin
C
C
Vincent
M
M
Abbal
M
M
Laroche
E
E
Ohayon
G
G
Serre
B
B
Mazières
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D015798:HLA-DR1 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D015798:HLA-DR1 Antigen; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D007633:Keratins; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor