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The Lupus Connection
Up to 50% of patients with SLE have antibodies to phospholipids ('sticky blood').
SLE patients with Antiphospholipid antibodies: 40% have thrombosis.
SLE without Antiphospholipid antibodies: 12% to 18% of patients.
SLE patients have a higher
incidence of cardiac valvular disease, hemolytic anemia, leukopenia and low C4 complement levels.
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs more commonly in active lupus.
Thrombotic stroke, possibly related to the
Anti-phospholipid antibody, is more common in quiescent phases-(remissions).
Prevalence Of Antiphospholipid Antibodies:
Presence of antiphospholipid antibodies does not necessarily indicate an
increased risk for thrombosis. The presence of AP-As is considered a risk factor for stroke, but this association may be true only in patients with SLE or other autoimmune disorders. Many well-controlled
studies have found no association between AP-As and stroke in non-SLE patients.
Autoimmune diseases Percentage Relationships to Secondary Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome (SAPS or SAPLS)
- Juvenile chronic arthritis - 55%
- SLE - 15% to 50%
- Sjogren's syndrome - 42%
- Rheumatoid arthritis - up to 33%
- Idiopathic Thrombotic Purpura - 30%
- Posoriatic arthritis - 28%
- Scleroderma - 25%
- Mixed Connective Tissue Disease - 22%
- Giant cell arteritis - 20%
- Polymyalgia rheumatica - 20%
- Behcet's disease - 0% to 50%
Treatment to prevent Thrombosis
Treatment of patients with APL Antibody is controversial. The problem seems to be mainly an abnormal hyper-coagulable state that predisposes to thrombosis of arteries rather than true vasculitis.
Asymptomatic patient with Antiphospholipid Antibodies: Reduce risk factors for vascular disease with Warfarin. Patients with high titers: Avoid oral contraceptive. Life style change:
Maintain ideal weight, cholesterol level and physical activity; control blood pressure and avoid smoking.
Page forms part of www.apls.tk, the information site on ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME (APS or ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME (APLS))
Medical Keywords: systemic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, Antiphospholipid, Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, APS, APLS, Hughes
Syndrome, Sticky Blood, Clotting Disorder, Stroke, TIA, PE, death, Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, APS, APLS,
Hughes Syndrome, Sticky Blood, Clotting Disorder, Stroke, TIA, PE, death
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