Factors related to the risk of thrombosis in patients with lupus antiphospholipid antibodies and

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are frequently associated with eritematosus systemic lupus (SLE) and increases the risk of thrombosis. The aim of the study was to analize risk factors of thrombosis and its temporal profile in subjects with SLE. PATIENTS AND METHOD: One hundred and two SLE patients -mean age: 37.5 years (range: 8-85); 90 women; mean of follow-up: 72 months (range: 9-324); 41 (40.2%) with aPL positive-were included in the study. Actuarial Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess the thrombosis risk and Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate factors associated with the risk. RESULTS: 13 thrombotic events occurred in the group with aPL positive (mean of follow up: 83.5 months) and 5 events in aPL negative group (mean of follow up: 72 months). The event-rates were 3.93 and 0.96/100 patients/year for each group, respectively. Survival curves showed a significantly higher risk of thrombotic events in the patients with positive aPL as compared to the aPL negative group, and the risk still present throughout the observational time. Activated partial thromboplastine time up to 37 s was significantly associated with thrombosis risk (p = 0.003). Furthermore, positivity of lupus anticoagulant and proteinuria > 2,5 g/day tended to increase thrombotic risk, although they did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SLE and aPL, risk of first thrombosis remains over the years, and a large activated partial thromboplastine time was the most important risk factor.