Objective: To evaluate Antiphospholipid antibodies (APLAs) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients with obstetric and thrombotic complications, and ascertain the association of APLAs with different clinical features of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in SLE patients.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to Jan 2021 at the Section of Chemical Pathology & Department of Rheumatology, Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore. Diagnosed cases of SLE presenting with thrombosis & pregnancy complication were included. Age, gender and clinical symptoms were recorded. Blood sample were taken for Lupus anticoagulant, Anti-beta-2-glycoprotein 1(anti-b2GPI), anticardiolipin (aCL) and were analyzed on Alegria based on ELISA.
Results: A total of 60 patients were included in the study with mean age of 31.3±5.3 years. There were 56 (93.3%) female and 4 (6.7%) males. Non-thrombotic lupus manifestations were cutaneous features in 40 (66.7%), oral ulcers in 33 (58.3%), arthritis and nephritis each in 23 (38.3%), neuropsychiatric manifestation in 7 (11.6%), and serositis in 4 (6.7%) patients. Out of 60 patients, 18 (30%) were positive with single APLA, 28 (46.7%) positive with double-antibodies and 14 (23.3%) positive with triple positive APLAs. Person who had five thrombotic events was triple ELISA positive as compared to person who had one or two thrombotic events were double ELISA positive.
Conclusion: Antiphospholipid antibodies, especially IgG anti-β2GPI antibodies, contribute to pregnancy complications and thrombotic events. Triple antibody positivity is directly associated with recurrent thrombotic events.
Key words: APS, aPLS, SLE.
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