Lupus anticoagulants

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Systemic lupus erythematosus rash on the face

Lupus anticoagulants

Definition:

Lupus anticoagulants are antibodies against phospholipids (a group of substances in cell membranes), which inhibit blood clotting in a test tube, but may be associated with a higher risk of clotting in people who have them in their blood.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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Lupus anticoagulants are found in people with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) and also in those taking certain medications, such as phenothiazines, phenytoin, dilantin, hydralazine, quinine, amoxicillin, and oral contraceptives. They may also be present in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, infections, and some tumors.

Some people with these antibodies have no clear, predisposing factor. In some cases, the condition is associated with an increased risk of blood clots, and it may be the cause of recurrent miscarriages.

References:

Harris ED, Budd RC, Genovese MC, Firestein GS, Sargent JS, Sledge CB. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005.