HL-A 27 AND THE DIAGNOSIS OF BACK PROBLEMS

Abstract
SUMMARY Too much of the information required for rigorous assessment of the diagnostic value of a positive HL-A 27 test is not available. Certainly there would seem to be no case for population screening, not least because effective prophylaxis is not possible. At present sacroiliac radio-graphs have greater value in the clinical situation, and it seems unlikely that the contribution they make to diagnosis will be challenged. The absence of the HL-A 27 antigen may have some value as an exclusion test, but careful prospective studies are required, as well as a more detailed cost-benefit appraisal of this test.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: