Association of (Q)R/KRAA positive HLA-DRB1 alleles with disease progression in early active and severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

The predisposing genetic pattern with disease associated HLA-DRB1 alleles did not profoundly influence the therapeutic outcome. Our data support the role of the HLA-DRB1 gene locus in disease modulation of RA. The genetic predisposition due to HLA-DRB1, however, may have only a limited influence on the therapeutic outcome in clinically severe cases of RA.