HLA-DR4 AND CAREER PROSPECTS IN RHEUMATOLOGY - IS THERE A LINK

Objective-To determine whether HLA type is associated with career prog ress in rheumatology. Design-Comparison of HLA type after HLA analysis of samples of venous blood. Setting-Department of Rheumatology Resear ch, University of Birmingham. Subjects-All (37) staff in the departmen t. Results-All the senior academics and most staff with a PhD expresse d HLA-DR4. The prevalence of expression in each of these groups was si gnificantly greater than that found in the controls. None of the junio r doctors or secretaries expressed DR4. Conclusion-The junior doctors in the department have poor career prospects as HLA-DR4 seems to be as sociated with academic achievement.