Pv. Bagger et al., ANTICARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES (IGG AND IGA) IN WOMEN WITH RECURRENT FETAL LOSS CORRELATE TO CLINICAL AND SEROLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SLE, Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 72(6), 1993, pp. 465-469
Aim of study. We investigated to which degree IgG, IgA and IgM anti-ca
rdiolipin antibodies (aCL) are associated in recurrent abortion or lat
e fetal death with other signs of autoimmune disease and in particular
SLE. Material and methods. Serological variables typical of SLE and o
f the anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome were measured once eight to
16 weeks after the last fetal loss in 158 women with recurrent abortio
n or late fetal death; women with manifest autoimmune rheumatic diseas
e were excluded. Results. (1) Positive values, i.e. above the 99th per
centile of reference material, of IgG aCL and IgA aCL were observed in
4% and 7%, respectively, whereas 26% had positive values of IgM aCL.
(2) IgG aCL and IgA aCL but not IgM aCL correlated to anti-nuclear ant
ibodies and to anti-double stranded DNA. (3) Anti-double stranded DNA,
IgG aCL and IgA aCL but not IgM aCL correlated to previous occurrence
of thrombosis. (4) ANA correlated to lower blood platelet concentrati
ons and higher erythrocyte sedimentation rates. Conclusions. Women wit
h recurrent abortion or late fetal death who have higher but not neces
sarily abnormally high levels of IgG aCL or IgA aCL constitute a group
with increased occurrence of clinical and serological characteristics
of SLE. We suggest that these women be kept under surveillance for fu
ture development of autoimmune disease especially SLE. The women with
high IgM aCL constitute another group without these characteristics.