CLINICAL-FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH A POSITIVE ANTICARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODYIN IRISH PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) are one of a number of autoantibodies found in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their p resence has been associated with clinical features of the antiphosphol ipid syndrome (APS), The aim of this study was to determine which clin ical features are associated with a positive anticardiolipin antibody in Irish patients with SLE, Ninety-five Irish patients with SLE were s tudied, All were examined thoroughly, had their full history taken, an d had case records reviewed, The presence of any clinical feature asso ciated with the APS was noted, Sera from these patients were tested fo r IgG and IgM ACA, The only significant association found was between a history of venous thrombosis and the presence of ACA, although sever al other features were more common in ACA positive patients, There wer e no significant associations with one or other isotype, This study se rves as a reminder to consider the possibility of venous thrombosis, a nd other clinical features, if an SLE patient is positive for ACA.