Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Thrombus Profiling Assay: A Microfluidics-Based Platform for Comprehensively Characterizing Biomechanical Thrombogenesis
Published on: January 9, 2026
Development and initial validation of a damage index (DIAPS) in patients with thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome
M-C Amigo1, M V Goycochea-Robles2, G Espinosa-Cuervo3
1ABC Medical Center, Department of Rheumatology, Mexico DF, Mexico marycarmenamigo@gmail.com.
Insights
A new physician-reported instrument, the Disease-specific cumulative Damage Index in Antiphospholipid Syndrome (DIAPS), was developed and validated. It effectively assesses cumulative organ damage in thrombotic APS patients and correlates with quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Medicine
- Patient Outcomes
Background:
- Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is associated with significant organ damage and poor prognosis.
- Identifying and quantifying cumulative damage is crucial for managing APS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Disease-specific cumulative Damage Index in Antiphospholipid Syndrome (DIAPS).
- To assess the content, criterion, and construct validity of the DIAPS in patients with thrombotic APS.
Main Methods:
- A 37-item DIAPS instrument was finalized through expert consensus and a Delphi exercise.
- The DIAPS was applied to 156 patients in a multicenter registry.
- Construct validity was assessed using the EuroQol health status measure.
Main Results:
- The DIAPS demonstrated content, criterion, and construct validity.
- Common comorbidities included obesity, depression, and dyslipidemia.
- Deep venous thrombosis and ischemic stroke were frequent sequelae; the DIAPS correlated with EuroQol domains.
Conclusions:
- The DIAPS is a valid physician-reported instrument for assessing cumulative damage in thrombotic APS.
- The DIAPS shows correlation with patient-reported quality of life measures (EuroQol).
Introduction:
In antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), certain principal manifestations are associated with a worse prognosis and organ damage.
Objective:
The objective of this paper is to describe the development and initial content, criterion and construct validity of a disease-specific cumulative damage index in patients with thrombotic APS (DIAPS).
Methods:
Through expert panel agreement, 47 items were considered to reflect damage in APS. This preliminary version of the DIAPS was submitted to four local and international clinical and research experts in APS who ranked each item according to severity. A Delphi exercise resulted in a final 37 item instrument. In the second phase, a cross-sectional study was conducted applying the DIAPS in patients included in a multicenter electronic registry of patients with APS. Quality of life related to health status was evaluated with the EuroQol for construct validation. An α Cronbach and correlation with the EuroQol scale were calculated with SPSS 20.0 (p < 0.05).
Results:
We evaluated the DIAPS in 156 patients, 77% female, with a mean age at diagnosis 34.7 ± 5.5 years. A total of 69% had primary APS. Common comorbidities included obesity, depression and dyslipidemia. The most frequent manifestations resulting in sequelae were deep venous thrombosis and ischemic stroke. Blindness, retinal occlusive vessel disease, myocardial infarction, cardiac valve requiring replacement, mesenteric thrombosis, and renal insufficiency also occurred. Homogeneity: α Cronbach 0.619. DIAPS items correlated with EuroQol domains with the exception of pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates content, criterion and construct validity of a new physician-reported instrument to assess the DIAPS. In addition, the DIAPS correlated with the EuroQol.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:27Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests
01:20Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:30Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:30Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
01:27Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above...