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Anti-cardiolipin antibodies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

B W Aichbichler1, W Petritsch, G A Reicht

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Karl Franzens University, Graz, Austria.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|April 29, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Elevated anti-cardiolipin antibodies are common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, these antibodies do not appear to cause thrombosis in IBD patients, despite the known thrombosis risk in this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients have an increased risk of thrombosis.
  • Elevated anti-cardiolipin antibodies are linked to thrombosis.
  • The role of anti-cardiolipin antibodies in IBD-related thrombosis is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of elevated anti-cardiolipin antibodies in IBD patients.
  • To analyze the association between anti-cardiolipin antibodies and thromboembolic complications in IBD.

Main Methods:

  • Compared anti-cardiolipin antibody levels in 136 IBD patients (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) with 136 healthy controls.
  • Assessed history of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in IBD patients.
  • Correlated antibody levels with disease activity.

Main Results:

  • Anti-cardiolipin antibody titers were significantly higher in IBD patients (5.7 U/mL in Crohn's, 5.3 U/mL in ulcerative colitis) than in controls (2.5 U/mL).
  • No correlation was found between IBD disease activity and antibody levels.
  • Only 2 of 7 IBD patients with a history of deep venous thrombosis had elevated anti-cardiolipin antibodies.

Conclusions:

  • Anti-cardiolipin antibody titers are significantly increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Elevated anti-cardiolipin antibodies do not appear to be a major factor in the development of thromboembolic events in IBD.

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