What is the relative risk of developing a skin disorder for an individual with HLA-A48?

The relative risk figure for developing a skin disorder for an individual with HLA-A48 being 16.6 indicates a significantly increased likelihood compared to individuals without this specific HLA type. In epidemiological studies, relative risk quantifies the chance of developing a condition among a certain group in comparison to a baseline or control group.

In this case, a relative risk of 16.6 means that individuals with HLA-A48 are 16.6 times more likely to develop the skin disorder than those who do not express this antigen. This high relative risk suggests a strong association between the HLA-A48 antigen and the predisposition to skin disorders, possibly due to the ways in which HLA molecules influence immune responses and susceptibility to certain conditions.

This finding can have important implications for screening, prevention, and management of skin disorders in populations identified with this genetic marker. Understanding such associations allows clinicians to tailor approaches to patient care and can aid in both prognosis and treatment options based on genetic susceptibility.