HLA antigens in recurrent oral ulceration: evidence against a common disease spectrum with Behçet's syndrome.

Among 50 patients with recurrent oral ulceration (ROU) the prevalence of HLA B5 was not increased as was the case among 50 patients with Behçet's Syndrome (BS) compared to 52 healthy controls. On the other hand, HLA DR4 was present in 16 of 30 (53%) patients with ROU whereas the same allele was present in 16% of BS patients and 22% of the healthy controls. These findings suggest that ROU and BS are not in the same disease spectrum.