HLA-B27 ordering in clinical practice
Embargo Date
2026-03-05
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
The goal of this study was to analyze the use of the HLA-B27 test in clinical practice. We queried the electronic medical records of the Mass General Brigham hospital system to identify adult patients tested for HLA-B27 from 1/1/2022 to 12/31/2022. Patient demographics, ordering physician specialty, and concurrent testing were examined. A total of 1977 HLA-B27 tests were ordered for 1960 patients. Of the patients tested for HLA-B27 1223/1960 (62.4%) were female and the average testing age was 47.4 years. Of the patients tested, 215/1960 (11.0%) patients tested HLA-B27 positive. The majority of patients identified as White (77.1%), 6.2% were Black and 5.5% Asian. Rheumatology providers ordered the most HLA-B27 tests (766/1977, 38.7%) followed by ophthalmology (422/1977, 21.3%), and oral & maxillofacial surgery (241/1977, 12.3%). HLA-B27 testing was ordered by a large spectrum of health care providers, most commonly by rheumatology and ophthalmology. HLA-B27 was ordered for patients across all ages. The positivity rate was slightly higher than the national average of 6.1%.