Anti-Phosphatidylserine/Prothrombin Antibodies Are Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Abstract

Objective. To determine the prevalence and clinical association of anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT) in patients with a history of pregnancy complications relevant to antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Materials and Methods. Two hundred and eleven patients with a history of (a) three or more consecutive miscarriages before 10th week of gestation (WG) (n=64), (b) death of a morphologically normal fetus beyond 10th WG (n=72), (c) premature birth of a morphologically normal neonate before 34th WG due to eclampsia, preeclamsia and placental insufficiency (n=33), and (d) less than three unexplained consecutive miscarriages before 10th WG (n=42). Subjects sera were analyzed for lupus anticoagulant (LA), anti-cardiolipin (aCL), anti-β2-glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI), and aPS/PT antibodies. Results. 41/169 (24.3%) of patients were positive for at least one measured aPL. The highest prevalence was found for aPS/PT and aCL (13.0% and 12.4%, resp.) followed by LA (7.7%) and anti-β2GPI (7.1%). 11/169 with APS-related obstetric manifestations had only aPS/PT. 17.8% of patients were positive for LA or aCL and/or anti-β2GPI; however when adding the aPS/PT results, an additional 7% of patients could be evaluated for APS. Conclusion. aPS/PT are associated with recurrent early or late abortions and with premature delivery irrespective of other aPL.