Anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with retinal vein occlusion and no risk factors: a prospective study.
BACKGROUND
Several reports have described the association between antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs) and retinal venous occlusive (RVO) disease. The purpose of this study was to look at the prevalence of these antibodies in patients with RVO disease and no conventional risk factors. We specifically examined how APAs may affect the course of this disease.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients with the diagnosis of RVO disease were screened prospectively for APAs. All were free from risk factors for retinal vein thrombosis and other immunologic conditions. Patients were observed for a period of 3 to 12 months.


RESULTS
Lupus anticoagulant was negative in all 24 patients. Ten (43%) of 24 patients had anticardiolipin antibodies (ACAs). All patients with ACAs were younger than 45 years of age, with an average age of 33 years. The average age of patients with no ACAs was 66 years. Comparison of the average age of the two groups showed a statistically significant difference. There was no statistical significance between the two groups for development of neovascular disease. Seropositive patients who developed neovascularization had elevated titers for an average of 11.8 weeks versus 3.3 weeks for those who did not have neovascularization. Neovascular complications generally began several weeks after the titers became negative.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a significant prevalence of ACAs in young patients with RVO disease and no associated systemic risk factors. Seropositive patients who developed neovascular disease had elevated titers for more than 6 weeks. However, the role of these transient ACAs in retinal vein occlusion is still not clear and merits further study.
Bashshur
Ziad F
ZF
Department of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. zb00@aub.edu.lb
Taher
Ali
A
Masri
Abdul Fattah
AF
Najjar
Danny
D
Arayssi
Thurayya K
TK
Noureddin
Bahá N
BN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000276:immunology*; D012307:Risk Factors
D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor