Which patients with antiphospholipid antibody should be treated and how?
The tests for antiphospholipid antibody are relatively crude but usable. Asymptomatic persons with incidentally discovered antiphospholipid antibody do not need treatment. Those with symptoms are best treated with anticoagulation, but data specifically supporting aspirin, heparin, or warfarin or combinations thereof remain to be generated. High-dose corticosteroid therapy has at best equivocal efficacy and much toxicity and should be used only for lupus activity and not for phenomena of the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. The roles of low-dose corticosteroid therapy, immunosuppressive agents, and other treatments are unknown.
Lockshin
M D
MD
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000032:analysis*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D000925:Anticoagulants