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The lupus anticoagulant in systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis
Author(s) -
Rowell N.R.,
Tate G.M.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb11992.x
Subject(s) - lupus anticoagulant , medicine , partial thromboplastin time , immunology , thrombosis , anticoagulant , thromboplastin , systemic lupus erythematosus , prothrombin time , gastroenterology , coagulation , disease
The lupus anticoagulant is an acquired IgG or IgM antibody directed against specific phospholipids involved in the formation of prothrombin activators. It is identified by coagulation tests. The partial thromboplastin time and kaolin clotting time are prolonged and these abnormalities cannot be corrected by the addition of normal plasma, as in simple clotting factor deficiency. The thrombin time is normal. Five out of 36 unselected patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) showed the presence of lupus anticoagulant (14%). The duration of SLE was from 2 to 38 years. Three of the five patients gave a history of thrombosis. The only male patient suffered from myocardial infarction and venous thromboses in his twenties and is an example of a group of young males with major thrombotic episodes. One patient had a Coombs‐positive haemolytic anaemia. Thrombocytopenia is sometimes associated with the lupus anticoagulant but was not found in the present series. Anticardiolipin antibodies were not measured, but none of the patients had false‐positive serology. The lupus anticoagulant is a useful marker for those patients with SLE at risk for thrombosis. The lupus anticoagulant was not found in 24 unselected patients with systemic sclerosis and is therefore not a factor in the pathogenesis of the vascular phenomena in this disease.