HLBA-27 - what is the significance?

[aysha01]

Hi

What is the significance of having the above gene (if that's what it is not sure). I have noticed some of you mention it. I have tested negative for this.

thanks

Aysha

[Ihurt]

And it is found in many (no all) people with any of the spondyloarthropathies "Ankylosing spondylitis, Psoriatic arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, and Reactive arthritis", IF the gene has been activated.

They are still studying the significance of it but they believe that if a person is positive for this marker, it is indicative of the presence of one of the above immune system diseases.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HLA-B27

I tested + for it. With my exam, history of 12 years of complaints, and this blood work, I was finally diagnosed.

[aysha01]

ok, so I have tested negative...but my blood tests have shown low serum iron and iron saturation which the report says suggests inflammation or chronic disease. So if I don't have this gene does it mean I DON'T have an arthritic condtion??

[aysha01]

..sorry forgot to add..Anitnuclear Antibodies are Positive, Titre is 1:40 and Fluorenscence Pattern is Speckled. Report notes say 'up to 5% of population may have a positive ANA of this titre without any clinical features of connective tissue disease. Speckled pattern may be associated with specific rheumatic disorders such as SLE, SLE overlap syndromes, mixed connective tissue disease and Sjogren's syndrome, as well as non-specific chronic inflammatory conditions'.

[MikeK]

Hi Aysha01,

One of the most frustrating things about PA is that there's no specific test for it. The diagnosis is usually based on a patients symptoms, bloodwork and x-rays, etc., etc. HLBA-27 is one of the things that doctor look for, but the problem is that not everyone tests positive for it. (Like I said, it can be so frustrating!) Here's a link to a very informative post about how the diagnosis can be made: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?p=74786&highlight=question#post74786.

I hope this helps.

Mike