Study on the Health Risk Appraisal by Using Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA)

In order to prevent the occurrence of diseases, the necessity for the total appraisal of risk factors has often been emphasized. As an appraisal procedure, the risk factors were isolated and their qualitative values evaluated in the population basis, then, the risk of the occurrence of disease was prognosticated at the individual levels. With these approaches, several risk factors, such as genetics, sex, age, nutrition and life style (physical exercise, smoking, drinking, etc. ) have been determined. Among them, the factors which can be altered to reduce risk are especially considered. In contrast, genetics in terms of disease susceptibility has not been taken into considerations for the risk appraisal, since it can't be altered to reduce risk. We found a high statistical association between gallbladder cancer and Major Histocompatibility Antigen (HLA), that is, HLA-DR4. Based on this epidemiological study on HLA, we tried to make clear the role of genetics on the occurrence of diseases. and to apply the HLA analysis to the health risk appraisal