Significant DQw1 association in achalasia

• Published in: Digestive diseases and sciences Vol. 34; no. 3; p. 349
• Main Authors: Wong, R K, Maydonovitch, C L, Metz, S J, Baker, Jr, J R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.1989
• Subjects: Adult; African Continental Ancestry Group; Esophageal Achalasia - genetics; Esophageal Achalasia - immunology; European Continental Ancestry Group; HLA-DQ Antigens - analysis; HLA-DQ Antigens - genetics; HLA-DR Antigens - analysis; HLA-DR Antigens - genetics; Humans; Prospective Studies
• ISSN: 0163-2116; 1573-2568
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01536254

Achalasia is a neuromuscular disorder of the esophagus with unknown etiology. There have been suggestions that this disorder is immunologically mediated. To examine this possibility, HLA phenotyping was prospectively performed on 40 patients with documented achalasia (24 Caucasian, 16 blacks). Results showed a positive association for the class II HLA antigen, DQw1, with 83% of Caucasians (P less than 0.02) and 86% of blacks having the antigen (NS). The relative risk for developing achalasia with the presence of DQw1 was 4.2 in Caucasians and 3.6 in blacks. A negative correlation for the DRw53 antigen was noted in Caucasian patients with a relative risk of 0.23. These results indicate an immunogenetic association for achalasia and provide insight into the pathogenesis of this disorder.