Immunogenetic Markers in Essential Hypertension

In a series of 148 patients with essential hypertension, the presence of the atherosclerotic C3-F gene and HLA-antigen frequences were investigated, and the results were compared with those in 62 age and sex matched normotensive controls. The frequency of C3-F was significantly higher in patients(p < 0.03), as was HLA-B15 in patients with a positive family history of hypertension(p < 0.05). The presence of the C3-F gene was associated with an increased risk (= 10.2) for coronary heart disease, and B15 was associated with an increased risk (= 6.0) for cerebral events in both familial and non familial cases of hypertension. It is suggested that determination of the C3-F gene and HLA-antigens might be a tool in the identification of hypertensive patients at particular high risk for vascular events, irrespective of BP levels. The study support the suggestions that some genetic factors may act via immunological pathways.