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Hughes' Syndrome
Antiphospholipid syndrome, or antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, is a disease of coagulation (blood clotting), and causes thrombosis (clots) in both arteries and veins, as well as recurrent miscarriage. It is due to the autoimmune production of antibodies against cell membrane constituents. It is occasionally referred to as Hughes' syndrome after the rheumatologist Dr Graham R.V. Hughes.
symptoms of Hughes' syndorome
Clinically, the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLAs) is suggested by thrombosis and/or recurrent miscarriage (especially in the second trimester, but often earlier). Other common clinical findings, although not part of the classification, are thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and livedo reticularis (a skin condition). Many patients report headaches.
APLAs occur in the context of a number of diseases, most notably systemic lupus. One can only speak of Hughes' syndrome when there are no other symptoms of one of the other forms of lupis disease (e.g. arthritis suggestive of SLE). A number of patients with the syndrome (about 10%) will eventually develop SLE, but most never get signs of this disease.
Posted by Staff at July 6, 2005 5:45 AM
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