1 Department of Immunology and Transfusion, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Rabat, Morocco.
2 UPR of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
3 Department of Rheumatology B, El Ayachi Hospital, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy,
Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
4 Day clinic, delegation of the Ministry of Health to the prefecture of Rabat, Regional Hospital Center, Rabat, Morocco.
5 International University of Rabat (UIR), Rabat, Morocco.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(01), 2044-2053
Received on 09 June 2024; revised on 17 July 2024; accepted on 19 July 2024
Aim: few studies exist on HLA-DRB1 alleles and their association with RA in North Africa. We aimed to provide an evaluation of the distribution of the HLA-DRB1* and -DQB1* genes in Moroccan patients with early RA. Additionally, we sought to analyze the relationship between HLA molecules and the production of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) in these patients.
Methods: 65 patients with rheumatoid arthritis benefited from HLA class II typing (DRB1* and DQB1*) and testing for anti-CCP and RF antibodies. The frequency of HLA alleles was compared to that of 180 healthy controls. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of HLA-DR and -DQ molecules in the different subgroups according to anti-CCP and RF status.
Results: The frequency of HLA-DRB1*04 and *11 alleles is increased in patients compared to controls (OR = 1.9; 95% CI (1.06-3.30), P=0.029; OR=2, 95% CI (1-3.83, P=0.047, respectively). 56 patients (86.1%) were RF positive, and 67.7% were anti-CCP positive. A significant increase in the frequency of DRB1*04 alleles was also noted in seropositive patients.
Conclusion: Our results suggest the predisposition of the HLA-DRB1*04 allele and the seropositive status of patients with RA. This could be useful in predicting the evolution of RA and establishing a diagnosis in some patients at an early stage of disease use.
Rheumatoid Arthritis; Rheumatoid Factor; Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptides; HLA-DRB1; Moroccan Population
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Ouafa Atouf, Imane Yakhlef, Sanae Ouadghiri, hanane rkain, Leila Benbrahim, Bahia Benchekroun, Najia Hajjaj Hassouni and Malika Essakalli. Immunological markers of rheumatoid arthritis in the Moroccan population. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(1), 2044-2053. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.1.2154