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.
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH | Last Updated: May 13, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology | |
 | ||