Height associated with different clinical expressions in primary antiphospholipid syndrome female patients

To compare clinical and laboratory data obtained from patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (pAPS) above and below 165 cm of height.

A cross-sectional study with 66 (83.3% female) pAPS patients was performed. Demographic, clinical, drug use, and antiphospholipid antibodies data were evaluated. Patients were subdivided into one of two groups: pAPS ≥ 165 cm and pAPS < 165 cm and compared.

In this sample 19/66 (28.8%) of patients were ≥ 165 cm and 47 were < 165 cm of height. Primary APS > 165 cm exhibited a lower frequency of female sex (52.6% vs. 95.7%, p<0.0001) and abortions (0 vs. 34%, p=0.008). A significant higher frequency of antimalarial use was seen in taller patients compared to those < 165 cm (36.8% vs. 14.9%, p=0.04). Furthermore, the analysis of females showed lower mean age (32.3 ± 9.9 vs. 41.3 ± 10.5, p=0.016), higher weight (85.5 ± 25.3 vs. 69.7 ± 17.6 kg, p= 0.023), higher frequency of venous events (100% vs. 66.7%, p=0.025) and lower rate of stroke (10% vs. 44.4%, p=0.043) in taller female than in the smaller.

This study used a systematic design to show that different heights in individuals with pAPS are associated with different diseases' expressions. When analyzing females exclusively, the taller ones were younger, heavier with more venous events, and more minor strokes than the smaller ones.