ABSTRACT
The distribution of HLA class-I (A, B and C), and class II (DR and DQ) antigens was studied in 50 randomly selected Kashmiri Muslim patients with established rheumatic heart disease and compared with that of 50 controls of similar ethnicity. A significant increase in the frequency of HLA-DR4 (P < 0.005, RR 3.27) and a significant decrease in the frequency of HLA-B5 (P < 0.001, RR 0.19) were found in the patient group. Though HLA-DQ3 showed a significant increase (P < 0.005, RR 2.52) and HLA-DR7 a significant decrease (P < 0.05, RR 0.42) in the patient group, the corrected P value was not significant. The findings suggest that susceptibility to RHD in the studied population is HLA-related, with HLA-DR4 influencing its occurrence and HLA-B5 conferring protection against the same.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Female , HLA Antigens/blood , Humans , India , Islam , Male , Middle Aged , Rheumatic Heart Disease/immunologyABSTRACT
Multiple myeloma was diagnosed in 84 residents of Jammu & Kashmir between 1984-1988. The data were analyzed for variations of demographic factors, ethnicity and location of residence (urban/rural). The average annual incidence per 100,000 residents was 1.28. The rates for males and females were 2.02 and 0.71 per 10(5) persons/year respectively. The average incidence rate for Muslims was significantly higher than that for Hindus. Urban residents had significantly higher rates than rural population. Highest incidence rate (14.39) was in the age group of 65 yr and above.