Primary antiphospholipid syndrome associated with pernicious anaemia

Aim. To determine whether there is an association between pernicious anaemi a and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Methods. Fifteen patients with pernicious anaemia and 11 patients with iron deficiency anaemia (controls) were evaluated for clinical parameters of th rombosis and/or the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, antinuclear an tibodies or lupus anticoagulant, Results. One asymptomatic patient with pernicious anaemia had laboratory fe atures suggestive of the antiphospholipid syndrome. An additional three pat ients in each group had slightly elevated antiphospholipid antibody concent rations, within one standard deviation of the normal range. Conclusion. The association between pernicious anaemia and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is rare and evaluation should be guided by clinical indi cations.