Antiphospholipid/Hughes Syndrome - Medtick
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Antiphospholipid/Hughes Syndrome

What is it?

A condition that occurs when your immune system mistakenly creates antibodies against phospholipids (these are proteins found  in our blood cells and blood vessels that help to control our blood to clot and/or help our blood not to be too ‘sticky’ or to ‘runny’) as a result it make your blood much more likely to clot.

  • Antibodies normally help us to protect us from infection or anything foreign that the body treats as a threat i.e. bacteria, virus, toxins.
  • This can cause blood clots in the legs, kidneys, lungs and brain.
  • This condition can increase if have the following:

Women with this condition have a much higher risk of developing complications during pregnancy, particularly if it’s not treated.

Possible complications include:

  • Recurrent (3 or more) early miscarriages, usually during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy
  • 1 or more later miscarriages, usually after week 10 of pregnancy
  • Premature birth, usually at or before week 34 of pregnancy, which may be caused by pre-eclampsia (where a woman develops high blood pressure during pregnancy)

NHS Choices

Other features shown to be associated with Antiphospholipid/Hughes Syndrome that are separate to the diagnostic criteria are:

  • Heart valve disease (specifically mitral valve and aortic valve)[1];
  • Thrombocytopenia[1];
  • Nephropathy[1];
  • Neurological conditions and presence of other antibodies[1].

[1] Miyakis S, Lockshin MD, Atsumi T et al. International consensus statement on an update of the classification criteria for definite antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). J Thromb Haemost 2006;(4):295–306. doi: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2006.01753.x

Cause

Syndromes

Medication

  • Hydralazine (high blood pressure)
  • Quinidine (antiarrhythmic medication for the heart)
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Epanutin)
  • Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
  • Hormonal medication i.e.
    • Contraceptives
    • Hormone replacement Therapy (HRT)
    • Oestrogen supplements

Symptoms

  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Balance and dizziness problems?
  • Difficult to concentrate / difficulty in concentrating/memory problems?
  • Blurred vision?
  • Nose bleeds?
  • Bleeding  gums?
  • Difficulty chewing, swallowing, talking and/or slurred speech and/or Difficulty in opening the mouth  and/or difficult to eat?
  • Short of breath and/or breathing difficulties?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks?
  • Chest pain?
  • Have initially a persistent dry cough which has now become a chesty cough with yellow/green and/or blood stained phlegm?
  • Long term persistent indigestion and/or frequent heartburn or constant abdominal pain?
  • Vomit or Coughing up blood?
  • Blood in urine?
  • Black/tarry stool?
  • Rectal bleeding?
  • Blood in faeces (looks like coffee grounds)?
  • Cold sores and/or Pinpoint red spots on the skin?
  • Bruise easily/Unusual bruise-like purple rash on the skin?
  • Rash- blotchy red or blue appearance?
  • Constant pain and/or sharp or electric shock-like in neck, shoulder pain, tingling and numbing occurs along the whole arm down?
  • Tingling sensation in one or both legs?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?

Female:

  • Painful heavy periods?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can lead to:

Pregnant or considering pregnancy

Ruiz-Irastorza G, Crowther M, Branch W et al. Antiphospholipid syndrome. The Lancet 2010;(376):1498–1509. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60709-X

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Antiphospholipid/Hughes Syndrome in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

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