Epidemiology of Antiphospholipid Syndrome in the General Population

Abstract

Purpose of Review The epidemiology of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is poorly understood. Here, we review the current understanding of the epidemiology of antiphospholipid syndrome in the general population and the frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies in the general population in patients with obstetric morbidity, arterial events, and venous thromboembolism. Recent Findings There have been few population-based studies that estimated the prevalence and incidence of APS. The estimated incidence and prevalence among most these studies ranged between 1 and 2 cases per 100,000 and 40 and 50 cases per 100,000 respectively. The prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with obstetric morbidity was 6–9%, while in arterial events and venous thromboembolism is 9–10%. However, this data remains limited. Mortality of patients with APS is 50–80% higher than the general population. Summary The epidemiology of APS has been difficult to elucidate. Population-based studies patients with diverse age, racial, and ethnic backgrounds are needed.

Relationship Between Gender Differences and Clinical Outcome in Patients With the Antiphospholipid Syndrome

“…Although epidemiological data on APS remain limited, and the gender ratio varies widely across studies, ranging from 10:1 to 1:1 ( 24 ), in our study we found a female predominant ratio of approximately 3:1.…”

“…Although epidemiological data on APS remain limited, and the gender ratio varies widely across studies, ranging from 10:1 to 1:1 (24), in our study we found a female predominant ratio of approximately 3:1. The causes of this predominance are certainly multifactorial, mainly linked to the X chromosome and to different genes expressed exclusively on this chromosome, such as TLR7, FOX-P3, CD40L (25) and other genes involved in the process of immune response (26).…”

Severe thrombotic complications secondary to antiphospholipid syndrome and undiagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus

“…1 The incidence of APS is estimated to be 1-2 per 100 000 and the prevalence is about 40-50 cases per 100 000. 2 Antiphospholipid syndrome causes more than 20% of strokes in young patients. 2 Diagnostic criteria for APS include the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin or aβ2GP1 antibodies) in association with thrombotic or obstetric complications (see revised Sapporo criteria, Box 1).…”

“…2 Antiphospholipid syndrome causes more than 20% of strokes in young patients. 2 Diagnostic criteria for APS include the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin or aβ2GP1 antibodies) in association with thrombotic or obstetric complications (see revised Sapporo criteria, Box 1). 3 Antibodies may arise transiently from many factors, including concurrent illness, and therefore must be tested twice, at least 12 weeks apart.…”

Novel Ex Vivo DOAC Removal Methods Reduce Interference in Lupus Anticoagulant Testing

“…Our results are in line with previous studies investigating DOAC removal ex vivo in patient samples, in which up to 25–97% of patients have positive LAC screening/test results during DOAC treatment [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 12 ]. This far exceeds the prevalence of phospholipid antibodies in the general population [ 13 ]. Timing of blood sampling affects the results, because samples drawn at peak drug levels (i.e., 2–3 h after dose) show more laboratory interference than trough-level (12–24 h) samples [ 7 ].…”