What does hla b27 negative mean

Our data did not distinguish between over diagnosing axial spondyloarthritis in HLA-B27 positive patients versus under diagnosing the condition in HLA-B27 negative patients. Indeed, both are likely to be true. Doctors can be subject to cognitive bias just as we all might suffer from biases related to accent, race, height, weight, sex, or gender. A positive test for HLA-B27 could bias the doctor toward attributing back pain to spondyloarthritis. Conversely, a negative test for HLA-B27 could unconsciously bias a physician against making a diagnosis of spondyloarthritis for a patient with mild, chronic back pain.

My colleagues and I concluded that HLA-B27 could introduce a cognitive bias in making a diagnosis for patients with mild back pain. While we believe it is a step forward, only posterity will determine if it could be a step back.

This research was supported by the Spondylitis Association of America. Abbvie has provided funding to the Spondylitis Association of America in support of this survey, but it did not participate in the design of the survey, the interpretation of results, or the writing of manuscripts. Web services were donated by Any-3 London. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

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Search Encyclopedia. Human lymphocyte antigen B27, human leukocyte A antigen, histocompatibility leukocyte A antigen What is this test? The most common autoimmune disorders connected with HLA-B27 antigens are: Ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that affects the spine Juvenile arthritis, which occurs in children Reactive arthritis, a type of arthritis in the joints Your HLA antigens are unique to you.

They are determined by your genes. Why do I need this test? What other tests might I have along with this test? How is this test done? Does this test pose any risks? What might affect my test results? For example, it may be done when a person needs a kidney transplant or bone marrow transplant. A positive test means HLA-B27 is present. It suggests a greater-than-average risk for developing or having certain autoimmune disorders. An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.

A positive result can help your provider make a diagnosis of a form of arthritis called spondyloarthritis. This kind of arthritis includes the following disorders:. If you have symptoms or signs of spondyloarthritis, a positive HLA-B27 test may help confirm the diagnosis.

However, HLA-B27 is found in some normal people and does not always mean you have a disease. Human leukocyte antigen: the major histocompatibility complex of humans.

Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap How are the results interpreted? The takeaway. Reactive Arthritis. Read this next. The Progression of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Medically reviewed by Nancy Carteron, M. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. Medically reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, O. Foods That Reduce Inflammation. Medically reviewed by Amy Richter, RD. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

White Blood Cell Count and Differential. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Medically reviewed by Shuvani Sanyal, MD.