RESEARCH - Differences between female and male patients with familial RA

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Ann Rheum Dis. 2001 Apr;60(4):413-5.

Differences between female and male patients with familial rheumatoid

arthritis.

Turku Immunology Centre, University of Turku, Tykistokatu 6A, FIN-20520

Turku, Finland. susanna.laivoranta-nyman@...

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are genetic differences between female

and male patients with familial rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: 45 men

and 119 women from 78 families with RA who all had at least one first degree

relative with RA were compared. HLA-DRB1 alleles were analysed, including

DRB1*04 subtypes and associations of DRB1*04 haplotypes with DQB1*0301 or

DQB1*0302 alleles, the age of the patients at disease onset, the presence of

rheumatoid factor (RF), joint erosions, and rheumatoid nodules. RESULTS:

HLA-DRB1*13 allele (the subtype allele of DR6, reported to be protective

against the development of RA) was found in 14/119 (12%) of female but in

none of the male patients (p=0.036). The HLA-DR4 allele was found slightly

more often in men than women patients with familial RA (31/45 (69%) v 75/119

(63%), NS). Men were also more often RF positive than women (44/45 (98%) v

98/117 (84%); p=0.031). On the other hand, the mean age at onset of RA was

significantly lower in the female group (40.4 years) than in men (46.6

years, p=0.0044).

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that there is stronger genetic background

in familial male than female patients with RA in the genetic susceptibility

defined by the studied HLA antigens. However, the earlier age of onset of

the disease in female group and the increased proportion of women with RA

indicate that there are additional sex related predisposing factors enhanced

in familial cases.

PMID: 11247876

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed & cmd=Retrieve & dopt=Abstra\

ctPlus & list_uids=11247876

Not an MD