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Anticardiolipin antibodies as a risk factor of atherosclerosis in intermittent claudication
José Maria Pereira de Godoy1, Fernando Batigália, Maria Regina Pereira de Godoy
1Department of Cardiology and Vascular Surgery of São José do Rio Preto University School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. godoyjmp@riopreto.com.br
Insights
Elevated anticardiolipin antibodies significantly increase the risk of developing intermittent claudication. This study found a 3.8 times higher risk in patients with high antibody levels, highlighting a key association.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Immunology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Anticardiolipin antibodies are recognized risk factors for atherosclerosis.
- Intermittent claudication is a common manifestation of peripheral artery disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between anticardiolipin antibodies and intermittent claudication.
- To quantify the risk of intermittent claudication in individuals with elevated anticardiolipin antibody levels.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study comparing 40 patients with intermittent claudication to 40 healthy controls.
- Quantitative measurement of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Statistical analysis using the relative risk test with a 95% confidence interval.
Main Results:
- Elevated anticardiolipin antibody levels were found in 23 patients and 6 controls.
- Patients with elevated anticardiolipin antibodies had a 3.833-fold increased risk (95% CI: 1.749-8.4) of intermittent claudication (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Elevated anticardiolipin antibody levels are significantly associated with an increased risk of intermittent claudication.
- Anticardiolipin antibodies may play a role in the pathogenesis of peripheral artery disease leading to intermittent claudication.
Abstract:
Anticardiolipin antibodies have been associated as a risk factor of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between anticardiolipin antibodies and intermittent claudication. Forty consecutive patients (33 men, 7 women; age range: 45-84 years, mean 65.5) who were seen in the angiology and vascular surgery department with intermittent claudication were evaluated. Exclusion criteria included prior revascularization, angioplasty, or a history of thrombosis of a lower limb. Forty individuals (23 men, 17 women; age range: 58-82 years, mean 67.1) who attended a support group for senior citizens and who were apparently healthy formed the control group. Anticardiolipin antibodies were evaluated by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantitative measurement of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies against cardiolipins in serum. IgG levels were considered normal when < 7, borderline from 7 to 10, and elevated at > 10 GPL units/mL; IgM levels were normal when < 4, borderline from 4 to 7, and elevated at > 7 MPL, as recommended by the test manufacturers. Statistical analysis used the relative risk test with a confidence interval of 95%. Twenty-three patients from the study group and 6 individuals from the control group were found to have elevated levels of anticardiolipin antibodies giving a relative risk of 3.833 (ranging from 1.749 to 8.4; p value < 0.0001). In conclusion, patients who have elevated levels of anticardiolipin antibodies present a 3.8 times greater risk of developing intermittent claudication.
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