Superficial thrombophlebitis and anticardiolipin antibodies--report of association

The aim of this study was to determine a possible association between recidivist superficial thrombophlebitis and anticardiolipin antibodies. Forty-five patients with two or more episodes of superficial thrombophlebitis in lower limbs (33 women and 12 men with ages ranging from 17 to 60 years, average: 39.8) were studied. The control group was formed by 100 voluntary donors from the blood bank (83 men and 17 women, age range: 21 to 59 years, average: 35.4). Anticardiolipin antibody concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For semiquantitative detection in human sera with use of QUANTA Lite ACA IgG/IgM--INOVA Diagnostic, Inc., and positive values were considered as 15 GPL units/mL and 12.5 MPL units/mL for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM, respectively, as recommended by the test. The Odds Ratio method was chosen for statistical analysis with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. In 15 patients (33.3%) anticardiolipin antibody positivity was detected, whereas in 12 patients (26.7%) it occurred as immunoglobulin M (IgM) anticardiolipin and in 3 (6.7%) as immunoglobulin G anticardiolipin. In the control group, positivity was found in 7 patients (7%) for those antibodies. Furthermore, the Odds Ratio = 6.64 with CI = 95% and values ranging from 2.48 to 17.82 (p < 0.05) were significant, as well as for IgM/IgG anticardiolipin proportion with Odds Ratio = 5.09, C = 95% and values varying from 1.33 to 19.54 (p < 0.05). The authors conclude that there is a correlation between the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies and recurrent superficial thrombophlebitis.