Ethnic and geographical variation in antiphospholipid (Hughes) syndrome.
Investigation of the clinical epidemiology of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is in its early stages. During the past 20 years, studies of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and APS have been made in many countries and ethno-geographical groups. aPL appear to occur in all populations studied, with some variations noted in their frequency and in the clinical complications. Environmental and genetic factors contribute to ethnic variation and susceptibility to APS and thus inter-ethnic differences in disease patterns may be due to environmental or genetic factors, or both.
Uthman
I
I
American University of Beirut, Medical Centre, PO Box 113-6044, Beirut, Lebanon. iuthman@aub.edu.lb
Khamashta
M
M
D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000235:genetics; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000235:genetics; D005006:Ethnicity; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D001324:Autoantigens; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors