genetics of rheumatoid arthritis
Last reviewed 01/2018
Twin studies have shown disease concordance of:
- 12-15% in monozygotic twins; the concordance is increased with disease severity
- 4% in dizygotic twins
There is an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis in relatives of those with severe seropositive disease.
There is a clear association with race; for example, there is a high prevalence in specific American Indian tribes.
There is particular linkage of disease to small areas of the HLA region on chromosome 6, in particular:
- DRB1*0401
- DRB1*0404
The presence of HLA DR4 alleles is a poor prognostic factor.
Reference:
- 1) Lee, DM & Weinblatt, ME. Rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 2001, 358, 903-11.
- 2) J Rheumatol (1999), 26, 47-53.