Antiphospholipid antibodies in forty young patients with stroke

Abstract EN

Background : Cerebral ischemia associated with Antiphospholipid Syndrome(APS) is a common arterial manifestation in adults.

Objectives : To look for the frequency of Antiphospholipid Antibodies (aPL), and their relation with other risk factors in young patients with cerebral ischemia.

Patients and methods : A retrospective study of 40 young patient’s ≤ 50 years with stroke collected from medical and neurological wards of Baghdad Teaching Hospital (BTH) from January-December 2009.

All were inquired about the presence of risk factors of stroke, and sent for aPL including Anticardiolipin (ACL) and Lupus Anticoagulant (LA).

Results : Eight (20 %) had ACL.

Nine (22.5 %) had LA.

Both were present in 6 (15 %).

ACL and/or LA were present in 11 (27.5 %).

Thirty three (82.5) patients had at least one risk factor, 8 of them had aPL, while 7 (17.5 %) had no risk factor and only 3 of them had aPL (p 0.1806).

Conclusion : Antiphospholipid Syndrome is a possible risk factor of stroke and any young patient with stroke should be screened for aPL.