- a high lifetime risk of thrombosis is conferred by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in the blood
- of 'young' people who suffer strokes, up to 20% of them have antiphospholipid syndrome
- up to 20% of cases of recurrent miscarriage have antiphospholipid syndrome
- up to 20% of cases of DVT have antiphospholipid syndrome
- there is a possibility that the antibodies directed against phospholipids, such as those found in antiphospholipid syndrome, may have a causative role in the development of atheroma
In addition to the antiphospholipid antibodiy (aPL) profile of patients, other considerations that influence thrombotic risk include the presence of other thrombotic risk factors (eg, inherited thrombophilia, pregnancy, immobilization, surgery) and the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- patients with SLE have an increased risk of thrombosis compared with the general population, and those who also have isolated but persistently positive aPL appear to be at further risk
Reference:
- Hughes G. Why 'sticky blood' syndrome has implications beyond thrombosis. Pulse (28/7/01), 29-31.
- Tektonidou MG, Laskari K, Panagiotakos DB, and Moutsopoulos HM. Risk factors for thrombosis and primary thrombosis prevention in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with or without antiphospholipid antibodies. Arthritis Rheum 2009;61(1):29-36.