Which HLA allele is most strongly associated with ankylosing spondylitis?

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Multiple Choice

Which HLA allele is most strongly associated with ankylosing spondylitis?

Explanation:
The strongest genetic association for ankylosing spondylitis is the HLA-B27 allele. This class I MHC molecule is found in the vast majority of people with the condition—roughly 90–95% in many populations—while only a small fraction of the general population carries it. That big difference makes HLA-B27 the most informative genetic clue we have for AS. It helps support the diagnosis when a patient has inflammatory back pain and sacroiliitis, but it isn’t diagnostic on its own because many people with HLA-B27 never develop AS and some AS patients are HLA-B27 negative. The other HLA types listed do not share this strong association with ankylosing spondylitis, so they’re not as useful for this condition.

The strongest genetic association for ankylosing spondylitis is the HLA-B27 allele. This class I MHC molecule is found in the vast majority of people with the condition—roughly 90–95% in many populations—while only a small fraction of the general population carries it. That big difference makes HLA-B27 the most informative genetic clue we have for AS. It helps support the diagnosis when a patient has inflammatory back pain and sacroiliitis, but it isn’t diagnostic on its own because many people with HLA-B27 never develop AS and some AS patients are HLA-B27 negative. The other HLA types listed do not share this strong association with ankylosing spondylitis, so they’re not as useful for this condition.

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