HLA-B27 is associated with which disease category?

• A. Spondyloarthropathies
• B. Systemic sclerosis
• C. Sjögren's syndrome
• D. Polymyositis

Answer: (A)

HLA-B27 is a genetic marker most strongly linked to seronegative spondyloarthropathies, a group of inflammatory rheumatic diseases that includes ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and enteropathic arthritis. This association helps classify diseases by their immunogenetic profile, especially when axial involvement or enthesitis is present. Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) involves fibrosis and autoimmunity with different markers; Sjögren's syndrome centers on sicca symptoms with antibodies like SSA and SSB; polymyositis is an inflammatory muscle disease with distinct autoantibodies such as anti-Jo-1. Therefore, the category most closely tied to HLA-B27 is Spondyloarthropathies.