Primary antiphospholipid syndrome with and without limb ischemia: A retrospective observational study

Abstract

Objective To compare clinical and laboratory data obtained from patients with primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome (PAPS) with and without limb ischemia (LI). Methods A transverse study with 66 (83.3% female) PAPS patients was performed. All data were evaluated. Patients were subdivided into one of two groups: PAPS with LI and PAPS without LI and compared. Results Sixty-six primary APS were selected. PAPS with LI group exhibited a longer disease duration ( p = .012) and more arterial events ( p = .002). A lower frequency of venous events was observed in PAPS with LI ( p = .007), and deep venous thrombosis ( p = .016). Furthermore, PAPS with LI patients had more deficiency of protein C of coagulation ( p = .015) than the others. Conclusion PAPS and LI have a distinct clinical and laboratory spectra from those without LI and it is characterized by an increased frequency of protein C deficiency, and a lower frequency of venous events, deep venous thrombosis and IgM anticardiolipin.