Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, also known as Hughes syndrome or simply APS or APS, is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by the easy formation of thrombi in the veins and arteries that interfere with blood clotting, which can lead to pain headaches, breathing difficulties and heart attacks. , for example.
Depending on the cause, FAS can be classified into three main types:
- SPA can occur at any age and in both sexes.
- But is most common in women between the ages of 20 and 50.
- Treatment must be established by the family doctor or rheumatologist and aims to prevent the formation of thrombi and prevent complications.
- Especially when the woman is pregnant.
The main signs and symptoms of PSA are related to changes in the clotting process and the onset of thrombosis, the main being:
In addition, people diagnosed with SPA are more likely to have kidney problems, myocardial infarction or stroke, for example, due to the formation of thrombus that interfere with blood flow, altering the amount of blood that reaches the organs. Understand what thrombosis is.
Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system itself attacks the body’s cells. In this case, the body produces antiphospholipid antibodies that attack the phospholipids present in fat cells, which facilitates blood clotting and thrombus formation.
The specific reason why the immune system produces these types of antibodies is not yet known, but it is known to be a more common condition in people with other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, for example.
Diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is defined by the presence of at least one clinical and laboratory criterion, i.e. the presence of a symptom of the disease and the detection of at least one autoantibody in the blood.
The clinical criteria chosen by the doctor include episodes of arterial or venous thrombosis, occurrence of abortion, premature birth, autoimmune diseases and the presence of risk factors for thrombosis. These clinical criteria should be tested by imaging or laboratory tests.
As for laboratory criteria, there is the presence of at least one type of antiphospholipid antibody, such as:
These antibodies should be evaluated at two different times, with an interval of at least 2 months.
For diagnosis to be positive for PSA, both criteria must be tested by tests performed twice with an interval of at least 3 months.
Although there is no cure for SPAs, it is possible to reduce the risk of clotting and, therefore, the development of complications such as thrombosis or heart attack, through frequent use of anticoagulants, such as warfarin, for oral use. , or heparin, which is intended for intravenous use.
Most of the time, people with SPA who are being treated with blood thinners can lead a completely normal life, it’s only important to have regular doctor’s appointments to adjust medication doses when needed.
However, to ensure treatment success, it is always important to avoid certain behaviors that may alter the effects of blood thinners, such as eating vitamin K-rich foods such as spinach, cabbage or broccoli for example. Find out what other precautions to take when using blood thinners.
In some more specific cases, such as during pregnancy, the doctor may recommend that the treatment be carried out with injectable heparin combined with aspirin or an intravenous immune globulin, to avoid the appearance of complications such as abortion, for example. example.
With proper treatment, there is a great chance that the pregnant woman with PSA will have a normal pregnancy, but she needs to be closely monitored by the obstetrician, as she has an increased risk of miscarriage, premature delivery. or preeclampsia. Learn to recognize the symptoms of preeclampsia.