Antiphospholipid SyndromeSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Antiphospholipid syndrome is a disorder characterized by an increased tendency to form abnormal blood clots (thromboses) that can block blood vessels. This clotting tendency is known as thrombophilia. In antiphospholipid syndrome, the thromboses can develop in nearly any blood vessel in the body. If a blood clot forms in the vessels in the brain, blood flow is impaired and can lead to stroke. Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system attacks the body's own tissues and organs.
The genetic cause of antiphospholipid syndrome is unknown. This condition results from the presence of three abnormal immune proteins (antibodies) in the blood. The antibodies that cause antiphospholipid syndrome are called lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, and anti-B2 glycoprotein I. These antibodies are referred to as antiphospholipid antibodies. People with this condition can test positive for one, two, or all three antiphospholipid antibodies in their blood. Antibodies normally attach (bind) to specific foreign particles and germs, marking them for destruction, but the antibodies in antiphospholipid syndrome attack normal human proteins. When these antibodies attach to proteins, the proteins change shape and attach to other molecules and receptors on the surface of cells. Attaching to cells, particularly immune cells, turns on (activates) the blood clotting pathway and other immune responses.
Antiphospholipid syndrome is estimated to affect 1 in 2,000 people. This condition may be responsible for up to one percent of all thromboses. It is estimated that 20 percent of individuals younger than age 50 who have a stroke have antiphospholipid syndrome. Ten to 15 percent of people with systemic lupus erythematosus have antiphospholipid syndrome. Similarly, 10 to 15 percent of women with recurrent miscarriages likely have this condition. Approximately 70 percent of individuals diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome are female.
Most cases of antiphospholipid syndrome are sporadic, which means they occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family. Rarely, the condition has been reported to run in families; however, it does not have a clear pattern of inheritance. Multiple genetic and environmental factors likely play a part in determining the risk of developing antiphospholipid syndrome.
Duke Hematology Clinic - Clinic 1E
Thomas Ortel is a Hematologist practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Ortel is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Antiphospholipid Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 24 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Thrombocytopenia, Thrombectomy, and Thalamotomy. Dr. Ortel is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Hematology and American Board Of Internal Med, Internal Medicine. Dr. Ortel is currently accepting new patients.
Taubman Center
Jason Knight is a Rheumatologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Knight is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Antiphospholipid Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Takayasu Arteritis, and Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis. Dr. Knight is board certified in Rheumatology. Dr. Knight is currently accepting new patients.
Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
Michelle Petri is a Rheumatologist practicing medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Petri is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Antiphospholipid Syndrome. She is also highly rated in 11 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Lupus Nephritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Antiphospholipid Syndrome, and Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE). Dr. Petri is board certified in American Board Of Allergy And Immunology and American Board Of Internal Medicine. Dr. Petri is currently accepting new patients.
Summary: Autoimmune diseases (AID), whether systemic or organ-specific, affect approximately one in ten people, and their prevalence continues to increase. Many AIDs are linked to the emergence of autoreactive B cells (BCs) directed against components of the self. In healthy individuals, these autoreactive B cells are counter-selected or regulated before reaching the antibody-secreting cell compartment. Ho...
Summary: Thrombocytopenia is common in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and is now included in the 2023 ACR/EULAR APS criteria as an important non criteria/hematologic feature. Persistent or low-moderate thrombocytopenia independently predicts reduced long-term survival in APS, with hazard ratios for mortality around 2.7-4.4, and is associated with a severe disease phenotype and thrombotic deaths.
Published Date: July 11, 2022
Published By: National Institutes of Health