[Antiphospholipid antibodies and regional cerebral blood flow in systemic lupus erythematosus]

We investigated the relationship between antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) on 25 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lupus anticoagulant (LA) and anticardiolipin antibody-IgG (ACA-IgG) as a marker of APA were determined. Brain CT and single photon emission CT (SPECT) were performed to evaluate the rCBF. LA was positive in 8 cases (32%), and ACA-IgG was positive in 3 cases (12%), respectively. Brain CT revealed brain atrophy in 8 cases (32%), but none of them had localized lesions. SPECT disclosed a reduced rCBF in 11 cases (44%). A reduced rCBF was noted to have a significant relationship with LA (p < 0.005), but not with ACA-IgG. It was suggested that LA might be an important factor as the cause of rCBF disturbances detected by SPECT in SLE patients.