ANTIPERINUCLEAR FACTOR - CLINICAL, SEROLOGICAL AND GENETIC CORRELATESIN ISRAELI PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

The possible association between the presence of antiperinuclear facto r (APF) and clinical and genetic parameters was investigated in 54 Isr aeli patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid factor (RF) w as detected in the sera of 43 patients (80%) and APF was positive in 3 3 (61%). No significant statistical differences were found in the pres ence of HLA-DR4 and/or DR1 between APF-positive and -negative patients . Furthermore, neither the Ritchie articular index nor the patient's f unctional class correlated with the presence of APF. The results of ou r study suggested that although Israeli patients have a different gene tic background, the presence and behaviour of APF is similar to that o f other Caucasian populations.