Disease expression and class IIHLA antigens in systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of this investigation was to examine the relationship between Class II HLA antigens and disease expression in systemic lupus erythematosus (SL E). HLA-DR and DQ antigen frequency was studied serologically in 217 SLE pa tients followed prospectively and compared to 320 healthy controls. The rel ationship between HLA antigens and the presence of disease manifestations, as well as death was investigated in 117 SLE patients enrolled within the f irst year of their disease. A univariate analysis confirmed the association between HLA-DR3 and SLE. HLA antigen DR1, DR6, DR7, DQw1 and DQw3 were dec reased in patient group compared to the controls. A logistic regression mod el showed a significantly negative association with HLA-DR1, DR6 and DR7, a nd a positive association with HLA-DR3. The reduced frequency of HLA-DQw1 a nd DQw3 was maintained using a logistic procedure. Cox Proportional Hazards models revealed no association between HLA-Class II antigens and death. Lo gistic regression models revealed no associations between central nervous s ystem (CNS) disease nor musculoskeletal manifestations with any of the DR a ntigens. There was a trend towards a lower frequency of HLA-DR6 in patients with renal involvement and lower prevalence of HLA-DR1 and HLA-DR7 in pati ents with vasculitis.