Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS): An Autoimmune Clotting Disorder: "
I became aware of a very detailed description of the Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), an autoimmune clotting disorder, via a Twitter message with a link to the ARUP Consult (see: Antiphospholipid Syndrome -
APS). I have previously discussed this very useful web site (see: ARUP Offers Lab Algorithms for Disease Diagnosis Support). I raise the topic of APS here for two reasons. First, to familiarize readers of this blog with the syndrome. Secondly, I want to emphasize how Twitter and the web in general have the capability of familiarizing physicians and healthcare consumers about relatively obscure diseases. Below, copied from ARUP Consult, is a description of APS:
Refer to the ARUP Consult for the complete description of this disease. I present only a small portion of the information about it. Here also is a clinical summary of the syndrome from eMedicine.Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder in which autoantibodies are directed against phospholipid-protein complexes. APS is characterized by thrombosis (arterial, venous, or small vessel) and/or pregnancy complications and persistently positive tests for antiphospholipid-protein (aPL) antibodies.
[Following are some salient details about the disease:]
- aPL antibodies are present in a low percentage of young healthy subjects (1-5%) and up to 10% of patients with venous thrombosis
- Higher prevalence in patients with autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus (up to 50%), malignancy, liver disease, and vascular disease
- Most patients with aPL antibodies do not have an underlying autoimmune disease
- Presents clinically as venous, arterial, or small vessel thrombosis, and/or obstetric complications
- Treatment decisions depend on the extent of clinical symptoms and may range from no treatment to long-term anticoagulation
