ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL-DISEASE

Antiphospholipid antibodies (e.g. anticardiolipin antibodies; aCL) are frequently associated with thrombotic events. In view of the evidence that thrombotic phenomena may complicate inflammatory bowel disease ( IBD), we have measured aCL in patients affected by ulcerative colitis (UC) (n=30) and Crohn's disease (CD) (n=22). We demonstrated that 6/30 (20%) of UC and 8/22 (36%) of CD patients showed increased levels of aCL (p<0.004 and p<0.0001, respectively, compared with healthy control s). aCL from IBD patients bound the corresponding antigen more efficie ntly in the presence of bovine serum which contained beta 2-glycoprote in I, a lipid-binding inhibitor of coagulation. aCL did not correlate either with disease activity or extent. No patient had clinical manife stations and/or a history of thromboembolism, which can perhaps occur without overt clinical signs. aCL could be a risk factor for intestina l thrombotic phenomena.