Predictors of Pregnancy Outcome in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)
The PROMISSE Study is an observational study of 700 pregnant patients, enrolled at nine major clinical centers. The purpose of the study is 1) to determine whether certain proteins (called complement split products) that can injure healthy organs can be used to predict poor pregnancy outcome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), and/or 2) to determine whether elevated levels of circulating antiangiogenic factors predict pregnancy complications in patients with aPL antibodies and/or SLE.
• Patient pregnant with live intrauterine pregnancy, as defined by positive test for elevated β-HCG, but ≤ 12 weeks by gestation (for subjects without aPL antibodies) and ≤18 weeks (for subjects with aPL antibodies)
• Patient between the ages of 18-45 and able to give informed consent, or age \< 18 years with parental consent
• Hematocrit \> 26%
• For APL positive:
‣ aCL: IgG \>= 40 GPL units; IgM \>= 40 MPL units
⁃ Positive LAC (RVVT, Kaolin, dilute TTI or PTT LA)
⁃ Anti-β2GPI: IgG \>= 40 GPL units; IgM \>= 40 MPL units
• For control subjects:
‣ At least one successful pregnancy
⁃ No history of fetal death (death of conceptus ≥ 10 weeks' gestation)
⁃ No more than 1 miscarriage \< 10 weeks' gestation
⁃ No history of positive aPL in local lab or positive aPL in core labs at screening
⁃ Not currently a smoker
⁃ No medical problems requiring chronic treatment