HLA antigens in Omani psoriasis vulgaris patients

Objectives: To determine the frequency of different HLA-antigens in patients with plaque psoriasis in the Omani Arab population. Methods: Fifty four Omani patients clinically diagnosed with plaque psoriasis attending the dermatology outpatient clinic in Al-Nahdah Hospital (the tertiary dermatology centre in Oman) were selected for HLA studies. Results: HLA-B52 was present in 20.4% of patients 11/54 and in 5% of controls without psoriasis 5/100. For the association p was <0.004 and the relative risk (RR) was 4.86. Conclusion: Psoriasis does not appear to be associated universally with the same HLA antigens. The association of HLA-B52 with plaque psoriasis in Omani patients compares with the HLA-Cw6,-Bw57 and-DR7 preponderance in most other ethnic groups.