HLA-Bw35 and prognosis in adult Still's disease.

Twenty-five patients with adult Still's disease were studied to determine clinical course and possible HLA associations. Two types of disease evolution were distinguishable clinically: a self-limited remitting disease with or without recurrent cyclic exacerbations was found in 11 patients, and a persistent disease with continuous activity for more than 1 year, generally accompanied by progressive joint disease, was determined in 8. Disease course could not be classified in 6 patients. The antigen frequencies of HLA-Bw35 (40%, P less than 0.05) and Cw4 (44%, P less than 0.05) were increased in adult Still's disease as compared to controls (18% and 20%, respectively). Because HLA-Bw35 was associated with self-limited remitting type disease (P less than 0.02), this antigen may be a favorable prognostic marker in adult Still's disease.