Antiphospholipid Antibody and Recurrent Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose: Although aPLs (antiphospholipid antibodies) are associated with thrombotic events, especially in young patients, the role of aPLs in recurrent ischemic strokes (RIS) is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between aPLs and RIS. Methods: The systematic review was conducted by a computer-assisted search of literature in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library published in English or Korean from 1990, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement (PRISMA). Review Manager 5.3 software was used for statistical analyses. Results: Of the 2272 identified articles, 8 studies were included (2510 subjects; 844 aPL positive). The meta-analysis revealed a relative risk of aPLs for RIS of 1.41 (95% CI, 0.91–2.17;I 2 =54%). In the subgroup analysis, age <50 years, ethnicity, and type of aPL did not increase the risk of RIS.Conclusions: We found that aPLs are not an independent predictor for RIS in adults. However, considering the nonstandardized disease criteria, further well-designed prospective trials should be considered to confirm these findings.