Overview
AIHA is a heterogeneous autoimmune cytopenia with variable severity and significant morbidity. APS is defined by thrombosis and/or obstetric morbidity with persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL).
Description
AIHA occurs in \~10-12% of APS cohorts and is associated with arterial thrombosis, cardiac valve disease, livedo reticularis, epilepsy/chorea, and a more severe APS phenotype.
APS patients hospitalized with AIHA have markedly higher venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk (OR ≈ 8.6) compared with AIHA without APS.
Hematologic APS (AIHA ± thrombocytopenia) may precede or coexist with thrombotic/obstetric APS, depending on aPL profile.
There is a need to systematically define the clinical implications (thrombosis, organ involvement, outcomes) of AIHA in APS.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults aged ≥18 years
- Patients with anemia consistant with hemolysis.
- Patient diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome.
- Informed consent obtained
Exclusion Criteria:
- Age less than 18 years.
- Other causes of anemia than autoimmune hemolysis.
