Association of Genetic Marker HLA-B27 with Spondyloarthritis In A Tertiary Care Centre In South India

Abstract

Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are gene products found in the major histocompatibility complex, aiding in differentiation of “self” from “non-self” antigens, and is crucial for the communication between immune cells of the human body. HLA-B27, in specific, has a strong interrelation with different types of Spondyloarthritis (SpA). The aim of this study is to study the frequency of HLA-B27 in suspected Spondyloarthritis patients presenting with axial and peripheral joint involvement, who attended our tertiary care centre from August-2017 to January-2021. Patients fulfilling Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria for Spondyloarthritis were included in the study, and were further classified into Spondyloarthritis sub-groups. Blood samples were collected for CRP and ESR tests along with HLA-B27 detection by RT-PCR method. Magnetic resonance imaging was done for sacroiliac joints in patients with lower back pain. Analysis of 289 samples of SpA patients revealed 156 (54%) to be HLA-B27 positive and 133 (46%) to be HLA-B27 negative. There were 98 patients (63%) with Ankylosing spondylitis, 33 (21%) had Reactive arthritis, 19 (12%) had Psoriatic arthritis, 6 (4%) had Undifferentiated Spondyloarthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease was diagnosed in 0% in HLA-B27 positive Spondyloarthritis patients. The frequency of HLA-B27 among the Spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients in our study was found to be 54% (156), more common clinical manifestation in men belonging to the age group of 16-25 years positive patients. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) was found to be the most common sub-groups observed among the SpA patients.