Antiphospholipid antibody profile-based outcome of purely vascular and purely obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) is caused by antiphospholipid autoantibodies, and manifests with vascular and/or obstetric complications. The factors associated with initial disease presentation and course are unknown. We assessed the antibody profile associated with disease presentation and with the development of vascular and obstetric complications in women with initially vascular or initially obstetric APLS. A review of records of APLS women at childbearing age followed at one center during 2006-2015. Of 126 women, median age at diagnosis 29 [23-37] years, 62 were initially diagnosed with purely obstetric APLS and 64 with purely vascular APLS. Baseline characteristics and antibody profile did not differ according to the initial diagnosis. At a mean follow-up duration of 61 ± 23 months, 19 (30.6%) with initially obstetric disease, and 20 (31.3%) with initially vascular disease, developed vascular and obstetric complications, respectively (P = 1.0). Among those with triple positivity [lupus anticoagulant (LAC)+, anticardiolipin (ACL)+, anti beta2-glycoprotein I (AB2GPI)+], a higher proportion developed both obstetric and vascular complications, compared to those with single or double positivity (42.3 vs. 16.4%, P = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, the presence of LAC (P = 0.008), ACL IgG (P = 0.009) or AB2GPI IgG (P = 0.01) was the only independent predictor of the development of both obstetric and vascular complications. Almost one-third of women with initially vascular or initially obstetric APLS developed mixed disease. The antibody profile was the only prognostic marker for disease course. The association found between LAC, ACL IgG or AB2GPI IgG, and patient outcomes could contribute to risk stratification and individualized patient management.