HLA-B27

[Guest guest]

Lyn -

Thank you for such a clear explanation of how the whole HLA-B27 works.

My last biology was 35 years ago (oh, my!) and while I try to keep up, I

never have figured out the details of how it worked. I'm going to print

it out and keep it for a cheat sheet for when I need to explain it to

people! I just tested negative but your explanation confirms my feeling

that it really doesn't mean much.

As all the mailings about hands have gone on, mine have gotten sorer and

sorer and stiffer and stiffer. The tendon insertion disussion gives me

new ideas why - plus why my legs always hurt. Sigh - I guess it is

good to know we aren't alone in all this.

Meg

[Guest guest]

greetings.....pa.and psoriasis is a genetic situation. it is HLA-B27 similar to

ra....you will always have trouble with it....blessed be....bob

[Guest guest]

Just to clarify - HLA-B27 is not the only genetic marker linked to

PA. I myself am negative for HLA-B27 but definitely have PA. There

are more than 30 different genetic markers linked to PA. The only

one they usually test for is HLA-B27 because it is closely linked to

ankylosing spondylitis which affects the spine. They test for this

because they will treat more aggressively from the very beginning if

you have this marker. But many of us don't have this marker at all.

(This is my understanding from my reading - I am not a medical

professional!)

Still, as Bob says, it is always genetic even though we usually don't

go to the expense of figuring out which gene marker(s) we have.

best to all,

sherry z

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