HLA antigens in relationship to duodenal ulceration, gastric acid secretion and the clinical result following vagotomy.

The distribution of 20 HLA antigens was measured in 100 patients with a duodenal ulcer. An increase (P less than 0.05) in the incidence of the HLA-BW35 antigen was identified which conferred an increased risk factor of developing a duodenal ulcer of 2.7. The preoperative acid output in patients who had the BW35 antigen was significantly lower than that found in all other patients prior to surgery. The clinical outcome from definitive surgical treatment did not appear to be influenced by the HLA status of the patients.