Presence of HLA-DR4, rheumatoid factor, and antikeratin antibody may predict severe rheumatoid arthritis.
To investigate potential associations between HLA DR4, rheumatoid factor and antikeratin antibody in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Retrospective review of 169 patients followed at the Rangueil Teaching Hospital rheumatology department for rheumatoid arthritis.
No differences in prevalences of DR4 and DR1 were found between patients with and without rheumatoid factor or between patients with and without antikeratin antibody, suggesting that the production of rheumatoid factor and/or antikeratin antibody is not dependent on genetic factors. Substantial overlap was seen between rheumatoid factor and antikeratin antibody. All three parameters can be identified at first evaluation of a patient with joint disease.
It would be of interest to evaluate the cumulative predictive value of DR4 or DR1, rheumatoid factor and antikeratin antibody at disease onset.