title: [Follow-up studies of rheumatoid arthritis patients with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies].
abstract: The aim of the study was 2 years follow-up observation of clinical course in RA patients with the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Among 395 patients with RA hospitalized in the Clinic of Rheumatology from January 2003 to December 2004 (2 years), in 39 patients with suspicion of antiphopspholipid syndrome the aCL antibodies were determined. In 7 cases we confirm the presence of aCL antibodies. Patients positive for antiphospholipid antibodies were invited to the Clinic on the beginning of 2006 (after 2 years from previous hospitalization) to analyze clinical course of disease and to perform laboratory examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the group of patients with RA positive for antiphospholipid antibodies, 3 had active RA with vascular changes. Aggressive therapy with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and corticosteroids caused conversion of anticardiolipin antibodies. Analogically antibiotic therapy in 2 patients with concomitant infections (urinary tract, respiratory system) caused conversion of aCL antibodies. 1 patient developed blastic coat cell lymphoma. 1 patient died because of cardiovascular complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Presence of anticardiolipin antibodies can be the indicator of serious prognosis, it can predict vasculitis, persistent infections, cardiovascular complications or neoplasmatic disease. We suggest that antiphospholipid antibodies should be measure in patient with aggressive course of rheumatoid arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Reumatologii Instytutu Reumatologii im. Eleonory Reicher, Warszawie. ewalewska@interia.pl
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Walewska
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rupińiski
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filipowicz-Sosnowska
authors.forename: Bozena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wojciechowska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers