Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome from lupus

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Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome from lupus

About 1 in 3 people with lupus produce an antibody that attacks certain blood-clotting factors, which can cause the blood to clot easily.¹ This condition, called antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, can lead to mild or severe blood-clotting complications, including:

Stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or heart attack.
Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Multi-infarct dementia.
Gangrene of fingers or toes.
Kidney disease.
Preeclampsia, premature birth, and miscarriage or stillbirth, apparently caused by blood circulation problems in the placenta.

Antiphospholipid antibodies can be detected with a blood test. When diagnosed, the condition is usually treated with anticoagulants. Pregnant women with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome require close monitoring.

References

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Citations
Crow MK (2008). Systemic lupus erythematosus. In L Goldman, D Ausiello, eds., Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 23rd ed., pp. 2022–2032. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.

Credits

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Author	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Associate Editor	Denele Ivins
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
Last Updated	May 13, 2008

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Last updated:	May 13, 2008
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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