HLA-DR4 and career prospects in rheumatology: is there a link?

Gough, A; Faint, J; Salmon, M; Bacon, P; Emery, P · BMJ

case_control · Level III

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Abstract

To determine whether HLA type is associated with career progress in rheumatology. Comparison of HLA type after HLA analysis of samples of venous blood. Department of Rheumatology Research, University of Birmingham. All (37) staff in the department. All the senior academics and most staff with a PhD expressed HLA-DR4. The prevalence of expression in each of these groups was significantly greater than that found in the controls. None of the junior doctors or secretaries expressed DR4. The junior doctors in the department have poor career prospects as HLA-DR4 seems to be associated with academic achievement.

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