What is HLA B27?

Hi !

Good question.

Doctors can use this test to help them determine if a patient may be more or less susceptible to certain symptoms and disease progression. There are a number of genes linked to PsA, but HLA-B27 has been noted to be highly associated with people living with PsA, and other rheumatic diseases.

One key factor might be that patients who are HLA-B27 positive are more likely than others to have their disease progress to the spine. It's important to note that this gene does not necessarily cause any of these symptoms to occur, but being positive on this test has been associated with increased probability.

What was your doctor able to give you any further insight into your test result?

- Jake (Psoriatic-Arthritis.com Team Member)