Which antiphospholipid antibodies should be measured in the antiphospholipid syndrome?
The results of an analysis of studies published over a 10-year period that addressed the association between antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) and thromboembolic events in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are reported. It would appear that lupus anticoagulants are the strongest risk factor for thromboembolic events in aPL-positive patients. Consequently, it is suggested that all patients with clinical manifestations of APS should be tested for these antibodies. On the other hand, the results do not unequivocally show that measurement of anticardiolipin antibodies is of help in defining the thrombotic risk of patients. Furthermore, they only partially support the notion that anti-beta 2-glycoprotein I and antiprothrombin antibodies may be independent risk factors for thrombosis.
Divisione di Ematologia, Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo, Italy. ematologia@cyberg.it
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M
Galli
D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000097:blood; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor / Q000097:blood; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D053482:beta 2-Glycoprotein I
D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D006023:Glycoproteins; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor; D053482:beta 2-Glycoprotein I; D011516:Prothrombin