HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 genetic markers and clinical presentation in celiac disease.

Background Patients with celiac disease are diagnosed at any age and can exhibit a wide range of clinical manifestations. The reasons for this are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between the HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 genetic markers and clinical features of celiac disease. Methods A total of 133 patients with celiac disease were tested for the HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 genes. Their corresponding allele and haplotype frequency distributions were estimated from the phenotypes found. The results were correlated with data from the clinical records. Results The DQ2 molecule was found in 93% of the patients, and DQ2 or DQ8 was found in 98%. The DQA1*0201-DQB1*0202 haplotype showed strong linkage disequilibrium. DQ2 homozygosis was significantly associated with female sex, earlier age at diagnosis, and shorter delay between onset of symptoms and diagnosis. Double-dose DQB1*02 (01–02) allele was more frequent in patients with the classic presentation of the disease. Conclusions The genetic markers investigated may prove useful for diagnosing and managing celiac disease. With some clinical variables, correlations not previously described were found. These correlations have a moderate strength and, therefore, must be confirmed by other studies.