This Genetic marker may predict Long-Term Outcomes in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Study

The sacroiliac, hip, and subtalar joints were more frequently involved in individuals with HLA-B27 positivity compared to those without. Furthermore, in nearly half of the individuals who were both HLA-B27 positive and had uveitis, the uveitis was asymptomatic. Several clinical manifestations, including uveitis, inflammatory back pain, sacroiliitis, arthritis in the hip, tarsal, and subtalar joints, as well as enthesitis during the disease course, were all associated with a lower likelihood of achieving remission off medication. HLA-B27 positivity was significantly linked to an increased risk of not being in remission off medication 18 years after disease onset, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.6, and this association was particularly strong in men (OR 5.6).

Clinical features consistent with spondylarthropathies were more frequently observed in patients who were HLA-B27 positive and were associated with worse long-term disease outcomes, particularly with an increased likelihood of nonremission 18 years after disease onset, especially in men. These findings highlight the adverse impact of HLA-B27 positivity on the long-term prognosis of individuals with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Reference:

Ekelund M, et al "Clinical impact of HLA-B27 on juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Eighteen years of follow-up in the population-based Nordic juvenile idiopathic arthritis cohort" ACR Open Rheumatol 2025; DOI: 10.1002/acr2.70005.