TY - JOUR T1 - Real-world Experience of Using <em>HLA-B*27</em> Tag-single-nucleotide Polymorphism Assay to Screen for Axial Spondyloarthritis JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 1712 LP - 1712 DO - 10.3899/jrheum.180408 VL - 45 IS - 12 AU - HAI V. NGUYEN AU - DARREN D. O’RIELLY AU - PROTON RAHMAN Y1 - 2018/12/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/45/12/1712.abstract N2 - We previously published an analytical validation of the HLA-B*27 tag-single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay in The Journal1 based on the initial identification of the HLA-B*27 tag-SNP by the International Genetics of Ankylosing Spondylitis Consortium2. Our tag-SNP assay is much cheaper than the traditional HLA-B locus testing, and has been implemented at the Provincial Medical Genetics Laboratory of Eastern Health (St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada) since August 1, 2016. The data on the use of this assay have been systematically collected.Currently, HLA-B locus testing is the gold standard for determining HLA-B*27 status, but it is rather expensive as a first-line test3. With an analytical sensitivity of 97.6% and specificity of 99.9%, the cheaper HLA-B*27 tag-SNP assay (rs116488202) could offer a less expensive yet rigorous testing option. Specifically, the HLA-B*27 tag-SNP assay could be ordered as a first-line screening test for patients … Address correspondence to Dr. P. Rahman, Professor of Medicine and Rheumatology, Memorial University, 154 LeMarchant Road, St. John’s, Newfoundland A1C 5B8, Canada. E-mail: prahman{at}mun.ca. ER -