ANTI-BETA-2-GLYCOPROTEIN-I ANTIBODIES - A USEFUL MARKER FOR THE ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME

We studied anti-beta(2)-glycoprotein I antibodies (alpha beta(2)GPI) i n autoimmune disease patients to evaluate their relationship to clinic al findings. Seventy-nine systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients [44 with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL)], 21 with primary antiphosp holipid syndrome (APS), eight asymptomatic individuals with aPL and 60 controls were studied. Sixteen SLE patients (14 with aPL and two with out aPL) and six with primary APS had alpha beta(2)GPI. A significant relationship was found between alpha beta(2)GPI and aPL (P < 0.01). In SLE, a significant correlation was found between previous thrombosis or thrombocytopenia and alpha beta(2)GPI or alpha beta(2)GPI + aPL, bu t not between fetal losses and alpha beta(2)GPI. These data suggest th at alpha beta(2)GPI may be useful in the study of APS.