Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

Antiphospholipid syndrome is also known as Hughes' Syndrome (named after the doctor who discovered it - Dr Graham Hughes).

Patients with antiphospholipid antibodies & certain symptoms are usually diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Syndrome. These patients have an increased risk of thrombosis (clotting) in veins & arteries. It can be present in lupus patients & also non-lupus patients.

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The main symptoms of the syndrome are-

• Vein Thrombosis (leg, arm or internal organ)

• Artery Thrombosis -
  � Brain - headaches, neurological features
  � Limb - pain and circulation problems �
  � Heart - chest pain �
  � Other organs - lungs, kidneys

• Recurrent abortion or miscarriage (usually in the 2nd or 3rd trimester).

• Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)

• Livedo reticularis (lacy, mottled pattern on skin)

• Migraine

• Epilepsy

• Memory loss

• Chorea (abnormal motor skills)

• Stoke

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Testing for the antiphospholipid antibody

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The anticardiolipin (ACA) test measures the actual antibody levels. The three classes of anticardiolipin that are usually tested for are - IgG, IgM & Iga.

Another test, the lupus anticoagulant is a more complicated test & is far less reliable.

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Treatment

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The drugs commonly used to treat it are aspirin, Warfarin & Heparin, which help to thin the blood. Aspirin is often given in small doses (75mgs-100mgs daily), this makes the platelets less sticky, which helps to prevent a thrombosis.

Warfarin is usually given to patients who have a larger thrombosis. Warfarin cannot be given to patients who are pregnant, so Heparin is normally used in these cases.

In some patients, anticoagulant therapy is life-long.