Stroke and antiphospholipid syndrome-antiphospholipid antibodies are a risk factor for an ischemic cerebrovascular event.

Abstract

Testing for antiphospholipid antibodies could be an important part in determining the cause of a cerebrovascular event (CVE). Currently, it is also unknown whether antiphospholipid antibodies represent a risk factor for the development of a CVE and whether the selected therapy options are efficacious. So, this study aimed at (1) determining the frequency of patients experiencing a CVE and fulfilling the laboratory criterion for an antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), (2) investigating whether the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies represented a risk factor for a CVE, and (3) focusing on the efficacy of the selected treatment strategy in the first year after the CVE. Eighty-nine patients with an acute CVE were prospectively followed for 1 year. At least two sera from each were tested for lupus anticoagulants, anticardiolipin, anti-β2-glycoprotein I, anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin and anti-annexin V antibodies. Twenty out of eighty-nine (22%) of CVE patients fulfilled the criteria for APS (17/20 for definitive and 3 for probable APS). There was a significant association between persistently present antiphospholipid antibodies and the CVE (OR, 4.62). No statistically significant difference was found in the CVE recurrence rate between APS-CVE and non-APS-CVE patients being treated mainly with acetyl salicylic acid. Antiphospholipid antibodies represent an independent risk factor for a CVE. In the first year after the CVE, antiplatelet therapy seemed to be sufficient in secondary CVE thromboprophylaxis in most APS patients.

• Authors: Nataša Gašperšič, Marjan Zaletel, Jan Kobal, Polona Žigon, Saša Čučnik, Snežna Sodin Šemrl, Matija Tomšič, Aleš Ambrožič
• Journal: Clinical rheumatology (Clin Rheumatol) Vol. 38 Issue 2 Pg. 379-384 (Feb 2019) ISSN: 1434-9949 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 30088114 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Antiphospholipid
• Anticoagulants
• Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor
• beta 2-Glycoprotein I

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Antiphospholipid (blood)
• Anticoagulants (therapeutic use)
• Antiphospholipid Syndrome (drug therapy, immunology)
• Female
• Humans
• Logistic Models
• Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Recurrence
• Risk Factors
• Stroke (etiology, immunology)
• Venous Thromboembolism (prevention & control)
• beta 2-Glycoprotein I (immunology)