Do antibodies to beta 2-glycoprotein 1 contribute to the better characterization of the antiphospholipid syndrome?

The aim of this study was to determine if the measurement of anti-beta 2-gl ycoprotein I antibodies (a beta 2-GPI) in serum levels contributes to the b etter characterization of the clinical situation of patients with antiphosp holipid syndrome (APS). For this purpose a beta 2-GPI of both isotypes was measured in 42 patients with APS and 32 SLE patients without APS. Clinical records of all patients were thoroughly reviewed. The presence of a beta 2- GPI was correlated with the clinical manifestations of APS and compared wit h the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and lupus anticoagulant (LA) activity. There was a positive correlation between levels of aCL and a beta 2-GPI for both IgG and IgM isotypes (p of Spearman = 0.82 and 0.64 respectively, P = 0.0001). Both antibodies presented significantly higher titres in LA posit ive patients (P < 0.05). The specificity for APS was 91% for IgG a beta 2-GPI, vs 75% for IgG aCL an d 87% for IgM a beta 2-GPI vs 81% for IgM aCL. 68% of patients with thrombo sis of 100% of patients with thrombocytopenia showed positive tests for all three markers (aCL, LA, a beta 2-GPI). Simultaneous presence of circulatin g LA and high titres of both aCL, and a beta 2-GPI identify a subset of pat ients with primary APS (PAPS) who have a more severe clinical course of the disease. Although the specificity of a beta 2-GPI IgG is higher than that of aCL IgG, when all three tests are performed a beta 2-GPI testing provide s only additional information to that of aCL and LA. Therefore, we conclude d that the a beta 2-GPI test should not be considered as a substitute for c onventional LA or aCL assays. However. performance of a beta 2-GPI seems to be important in PAPS with high aCL titres, to alert the physician about th e risk for the worst course of the illness.