Antiphospholipid syndrome What we need to know

Etiology

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease. Symptoms and clinical manifestations are diverse, of which arterial and venous thrombosis, spontaneous abortions, rashes, chronic headaches, dementia, heart palpitations and others are common.

The pathophysiological mechanism of the disease is related to the development of autoantibodies against phospholipids (structural proteins) of the cell membrane (including the membrane of platelets and endothelial cells of blood vessels) by the immune system.

Familial cases of the disease are rare. Antiphospholipid syndrome is multifactorial, i.e. in the background of certain genetic predisposition, thrombosis develops under the influence of environmental factors.

When do symptoms of antiphospholipid syndrome appear?

Symptoms begin to appear in adulthood.

A high titer of antiphospholipid antibodies increases the risk of developing the syndrome, however, some people never develop thrombosis.

Symptoms

• neurological disorders
• Cardiovascular disorders
• Transient ischemic attacks
• Stroke at a young age
• History of terminated pregnancies, preeclampsia and stillbirth
• Thrombocytopenia (decrease in the number of platelets in the blood)

Less typical symptoms are:

• A "lace-like" rash on the wrists and knees
• chronic headache
• Valvular heart failure
• memory disorders

Risk factors

• Family anamnesis
• Genetic predisposition
• Medications
• accompanying diseases
• Gender: Antiphospholipid syndrome is more common in women
• Other autoimmune diseases
• Viral and immunological diseases: HIV, hepatitis C, Borrelia and others
• Pregnancy
• surgery
• Estrogens and oral contraceptives
• High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies in the blood, namely:

• Antibodies to cardiolipin
• Antibodies to beta-2-glycoprotein
• Anticoagulant for lupus erythematosus

 Confirmation of the diagnostics is based on the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies and anamnestic data.

Treatment

There is no treatment for antiphospholipid syndrome, although the goal of medical intervention is to prevent thrombosis.

Antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnant women increases the risk of pregnancy termination, preeclampsia and other disorders.

Complications

Kidney failure – Due to decreased blood flow to the kidney

stroke – As a result of acute disruption of blood circulation in the brain

Cardiovascular complications – Heart attack, thrombosis of peripheral blood vessels, internal organs

Thrombosis of pulmonary arteries

Complications of pregnancy

source

https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/5824/antiphospholipid-syndrome

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/antiphospholipid-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355831

Laboratory "Synevo" offers diagnostic tests for antiphospholipid syndrome

n.manjaparashvili@synevo.ge