Syndrome (Sticky Blood Syndrome, Antiphospholipid Syndrome)

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Syndrome (Sticky Blood

Syndrome, Antiphospholipid Syndrome)

Feature

Syndrome (Sticky Blood Syndrome, Antiphospholipid

Syndrome)

By Dr. Trisha Macnair

Features of Syndrome

A treatable cause of recurrent miscarriage

Headaches may be another symptom

Stop the clotting

Syndrome goes by several other names including Sticky Blood Syndrome or

more technically the Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS).

But for most of those affected, none of these names will ring any bells.

Despite the fact that it is an important cause of blood clotting problems, and

that it accounts for as many as 1 in 5 cases of recurrent miscarriage, few

people have heard of the condition.

It was first recognised just 20 years ago, and linked

to an increased risk of vein thrombosis, including blood clots in the legs such

as DVT's - syndrome may the answer in some

cases of 'economy class syndrome' which has lead to deaths of young people travelling in crowded conditions on long haul flights.

There is also a great risk of more dangerous arterial thrombosis, including

strokes and heart attacks. 1 in 5 cases of stroke in young people (under 45)

are associated with Syndrome. (You can order information on stroke from

The Stroke Association at www.stroke.org.uk). Others are misdiagnosed as having

Multiple Sclerosis because of similar brain symptoms.

Features of Syndrome

Venous thrombosis:

legs (DVTs), arms, internal organs (e.g. kidney,

liver, lung, brain, eye).

Arterial thrombosis:

recurrent stroke and transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs),

headaches & neurological problems,

heart attacks.

Mild thrombocytopenia (low platelet count in the blood).

Multiple sclerosis-like episodes.

Chorea (abnormal movements).

Memory loss.

Seizures.

Heart valve disease.

Skin rash known as livedo reticularis.

Recurrent pregnancy loss.

People with Syndrome have antibodies in their blood against

phospholipids - a type of phosphorus-containing fat molecule which is found

throughout the body, particularly in the membranes which surround every cell.

There are also antibodies against the proteins that normally stick to

phospholipids. These antibodies are known as antiphospholipid

antibodies.

Antibodies are normally produced to fight foreign invaders like bacteria, but

when they are targeted against the body's own structures, as in

Syndrome, they cause an auto-immune disease - the body fights itself.

Syndrome or APS may occur independently or in association with another

autoimmune disease, usually Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

or SLE.

People of any age, male or female, may be affected although it is more common

among women. There may be a history of sudden problems such as a blood clot or

a miscarriage, or a long story of chronic ill health with headaches, tiredness

and other illness.

You can find a lot more details on Syndrome from The Syndrome

Foundation at www.hughes-syndrome.org.

Tests for Syndrome

There are two blood tests to diagnose Syndrome. These check for:

Anticardiolipin antibodies: this is the most

important test but may be negative in some cases.

Lupus anticoagulant.

A treatable cause of recurrent miscarriage

Syndrome is the commonest treatable cause of recurrent miscarriage.

Women with the syndrome are at increased risk of miscarriage because the

'sticky blood' cannot get through the delicate small blood vessels to the baby

growing in the womb. Although the exact sequence of events isn't yet clear (and

may vary from woman to women, pregnancy to pregnancy) without adequate

nutrients the placenta fails and the baby is lost. Miscarriage typically occurs

in the second trimester (second third) of pregnancy - i.e. quite late.

Unfortunately some women suffer 6 or more miscarriages before Syndrome,

which is easily treated, is diagnosed.

The Miscarriage Association can provide you with access to lots of information

and support at www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk.

Headaches may be another symptom

Severe headaches or migraine, often in teenage years

and then reappearing in a person's 30's or 40's, are another major feature of

Syndrome. Treatment can lead to a dramatic improvement in this symptom.

The Migraine Trust have more general advice on

headaches and migraine at www.migrainetrust.org.

Stop the clotting

Treatment of Syndrome is simple. It is aimed at preventing the formation

of clots or thrombus using aspirin or heparin, or both. Only a low dose of

aspirin is needed (children's or paediatric dose, 75

mg, daily).

A women's chance of having a baby may be increased from 19% to 70% if aspirin

is taken regularly, and heparin injection (under the skin) also given. Heparin

does not cross over the placenta and is not known to cause any harm to the

fetus, although long term use may be linked to osteoporosis in the mother

(newer 'low molecular weight heparin' may cause less problems.)

Once a thrombosis has occurred warfarin is usually

given but this treatment must be monitored and cannot be given in pregnancy.

Top Tips

Syndrome may be mistaken for many conditions from Multiple

Sclerosis to Alzheimer's.

syndrome is an important, under-diagnosed cause of recurrent

miscarriage.

Treatment is simple - for most people a junior aspirin a day is enough.

Much

Love,

Deanna

LUPUS

Serenity Prayer...

Lord, grant me the

serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things

I can, and the wisdom to hide the bodies of doctors I shot when they said,

You're perfectly healthy, it's all in your head "