beta 2-glycoprotein 1 as a marker of antiphospholipid syndrome in women with recurrent pregnancy loss

Objective: To determine if beta 2-glycoprotein 1 (beta 2-GP1) antibodies ar e a better marker of the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Design: Evaluation and testing of sera from women with RPL. Setting: A univ ersity-affiliated reproductive endocrinology practice. Patient(s): 90 women with RPL; 45 women met criteria for APS and 45 women m et criteria for RPL without antiphospholipid antibodies (APA). Both groups were of similar age and had a similar history of RPL. Intervention(s): Patient sera were obtained from women with RPL and were te sted for APA and beta 2-GP1. Main Outcome Measure(s): A standard antiphospholipid antibody assay was emp loyed to detect the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgM, and IgA antibodi es in serum against cardiolipin, phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidyl glycer ol, phosphatidyl serine, and phosphatidyl ethanolamine. Samples were also a ssayed with a commercial beta 2-GP1 assay for IgG antibodies. Result(s): Among the 45 women with APS, 10 (22.2%) had positive IgG antibod ies for beta 2-GP1. Only 1 woman (2.2%) of 45 was positive for beta 2-GP1 a mong the control group of women with RPL but negative APA. There was no cor relation noted among the beta 2-GP1-positive patients for a specific phosph olipid antibody or isotype. Conclusion(s): These data suggest that IgG beta 2-GP1 antibodies are less s ensitive than antiphospholipid antibodies for the diagnosis of APS. (C) 200 0 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.