Keele Research Repository

To investigate the influence of HLA-DRB1 alleles encoding the QK/RRAA shared epitope (SE) on radiological outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to determine whether it is modulated by alleles carrying the putative rheumatoid arthritis-protective (RAP) sequence DERAA. Patients and methods. The association between erosive damage and HLA-DRB1 status was examined in 315 RA patients with a disease duration of 5-30 yr. Radiological outcome was measured by scoring X-rays of the hands and feet using the standard radiographs of Larsen (Larsen score). HLA-DRB1 typing was carried out using polymerase chain reaction methodology.