MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -The frequency of HLA-B27 in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is over 85%. There are more than 170 recognized HLA-B27 alleles but the majority of them is not sufficiently represented for genetic association studies.

Detailed explanation-2: -Although associated with spondyloarthritis, the pathologic role of this allele in immune dysregulation remains under investigation. With lower frequency, the presence of the HLA-B27 allele has correlated with inflammatory bowel disease, psoriatic arthritis, and reactive arthritis.

Detailed explanation-3: -HLA-B27 is found in 88% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The chance that an HLA-B27 patient will develop spondyloarthritis or eye disease is 1 in 4. Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include lower back pain and stiffness after inactivity. The disorder can be totally asymptomatic or severe and crippling.

Detailed explanation-4: -A normal variant of the HLA-B gene called HLA-B27 significantly increases the risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis.