The Influence of HLA Alleles on the Affective Distress Profile.

(1)

Background

Affective distress can be triggered by aggressive stimuli with an unfavorable role for the individual. Some of the factors that lead to the development and evolution of a mental disorder can be genetic. The aim of this study is to determine some correlations between the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes and the affective distress profile (PDA). (2)

Methods

A psychological assessment and testing tool for anxiety was applied to 115 people. The low-resolution HLA alleles of class I (HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C) and class II (HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1) were identified by the PCR technique after DNA extraction from the blood. Depending on the PDA, the subjects were divided into two groups: a group with a low PDA and another one with a medium and high PDA. The IBM SPSS software was used to compare the frequency of HLA alleles between the two groups. (3)

Results

The univariate analysis revealed a significant association of the HLA-A locus (A*01, A*30), HLA-B (B*08), and HLA-DRB1 (DRB1*11) with the low PDA group and of the HLA-A locus (A*32), HLA-B (B*52), and HLA-C (C*12) with the medium and high PDA group. (4)

Conclusions

The present study highlighted potential associations between HLA alleles and anxiety disorders.