Antiphospholipid antibodies and renal involvement.

Area of Science:

• Autoimmunology
• Nephrology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Antiphospholipid antibodies are associated with a hypercoagulable state leading to thrombosis, known as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).
• APS is an autoimmune disease with complex multifactorial etiology, encompassing cellular, molecular, genetic, and pathogenic mechanisms.
• Clinical manifestations of APS are diverse, including arterial/venous thrombosis, hematological events, recurrent fetal losses, neurological disorders, and intra-abdominal issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the significance of renal involvement in Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS).
• To discuss the clinical and histological features of Antiphospholipid Syndrome Nephropathy (APSN).
• To advocate for the inclusion of APSN in the classification criteria for definite APS.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical features associated with renal involvement in primary and secondary APS.
• Analysis of histological manifestations of Antiphospholipid Syndrome Nephropathy (APSN).
• Evaluation of APSN as an independent risk factor in APS classification.

Main Results:

• Renal involvement is a recognized feature in both primary and secondary APS.
• Clinical manifestations of APSN include hypertension, renal artery stenosis, thrombotic microangiopathy, venous renal thrombosis, and renal failure.
• APSN exhibits characteristic clinical and histological features.

Conclusions:

• Antiphospholipid Syndrome Nephropathy (APSN) is an independent risk factor in APS.
• APSN presents with a spectrum of renal manifestations, including hypertension and thrombotic microangiopathy.
• The characteristic clinical and histological features of APSN warrant its inclusion in the classification criteria for definite APS.