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Published on: January 17, 2018

Significance of persistent antiphospholipid antibodies in the elderly

Thomas Quéméneur1, Marc Lambert, Eric Hachulla

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Huriez Hospital, CHRU Lille, and University of Lille II, Lille, France.

The Journal of Rheumatology
|July 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are challenging to interpret in older adults. Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) may be the most significant biomarker for diagnosing antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in the elderly population.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and vascular diseases are more prevalent in the elderly.
  • The clinical significance of aCL in older individuals is not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the significance of persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in elderly patients.
  • To evaluate the diagnostic utility of aCL and lupus anticoagulant (LAC) in elderly patients with suspected antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 327 patients with at least two positive aPL tests (LAC and/or aCL).
  • Patients were categorized into young (<65 years) and elderly (>=65 years) groups.
  • Comparison of APS prevalence and clinical characteristics between age groups.

Main Results:

  • Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) was less frequent in elderly patients (23.4%) compared to younger patients (40.8%).
  • Clinical features of persistent aPL were similar across age groups.
  • Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) was highly prevalent in elderly APS patients (93.3%) and differentiated APS from non-APS cases in this population.

Conclusions:

  • Interpreting positive aPL tests in the elderly is complex.
  • Persistent lupus anticoagulant (LAC) appears to be a valuable biomarker for diagnosing APS in older adults.
Abstract

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