Antiphospholipid syndrome
| catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome / Asherson’s syndrome
Summary
Autoantibodies damage proteins that are attached to fat molecules (phospholipids) causing blood clots to form in the body’s arteries and veins and making the blood “stickier” than normal. This is dangerous because it causes an increased risk of abnormal blood clotting. APS is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by an increased risk for arterial, venous and/or microvascular thrombosis and various obstetric complications.
(Global Autoimmune Institute, 2023)
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of antiphospholipid syndrome can include:
Blood clots in legs (DVT). Signs of a DVT include pain, swelling and redness. These clots can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Repeated miscarriages or stillbirths. Other complications of pregnancy include dangerously high blood pressure (preeclampsia) and premature delivery.
Stroke. A stroke can occur in a young person who has antiphospholipid syndrome but no known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Transient ischemic attack (TIA). Similar to a stroke, a TIA usually lasts only a few minutes and causes no permanent damage.
Rash. Some people develop a red rash with a lacy, net-like pattern.
Less common signs and symptoms include:
Neurological symptoms. Chronic headaches, including migraines; dementia and seizures are possible when a blood clot blocks blood flow to parts of the brain.
Cardiovascular disease. Antiphospholipid syndrome can damage heart valves.
Low blood platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). This decrease in blood cells needed for clotting can cause episodes of bleeding, particularly from the nose and gums. Bleeding into the skin will appear as patches of small red spots.
(Autoimmune Association, 2022)
Diagnostic Criteria
Under Investigation
Diagnostic Tests
Under Investigation
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Associations
Under Investigation
Tissue-Type or Cell-Type Attacked
Under Investigation
Attacking Immune Cell Type or Process
Under Investigation
Treatment Modality
Under Investigation
Managing Specialist(s)
Under Investigation
Associated Infections
Under Investigation
Associated Toxins
Under Investigation
Research Authors
Under Investigation
Research Institutions
Under Investigation
Average Time from Symptom Onset to Diagnosis
Under Investigation
Last Updated
January 06, 2023
References
Antiphospholipid syndrome. Autoimmune Association. (2022, November 09). Retrieved January 06, 2023 from https://autoimmune.org/disease-information/antiphospholipid-syndrome-aps/
Antiphospholipid syndrome. Global Autoimmune Institute. (2023). Retrieved January 06, 2023 from https://www.autoimmuneinstitute.org/antiphospholipid-syndrome/