Pregnancy and antibodies to phospholipids

Article Abstract:

Antibodies are specialized proteins that specifically bind with and inactivate invading foreign particles, but may also attack the body's tissues and natural substances under abnormal conditions. Antibodies against anionic phospholipids (negatively charged phosphate-containing fatty compounds) have been associated with recurrent miscarriages. The relation between anti-phospholipid antibodies and pregnancy failure in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a long term inflammatory disease of connective tissue, is associated with the presence of antibodies against cardiolipin (a type of phospholipid). One study of 50 women with SLE without anticardiolipin antibodies revealed that out of 129 pregnancies, 27 percent resulted in miscarriage. In 12 women with SLE who had high levels of anticardiolipin antibodies, 89 percent of 37 pregnancies resulted in miscarriage. The immunoglobulin G type antibody is more closely linked to pregnancy failure, and recurrent miscarriages are more frequent in women with these antibodies. The percentage of women without SLE who have these antibodies along with recurrent miscarriage ranges from 8 to 42 percent. Some drugs used to treat recurrent pregnancy failure include the steroid prednisolone, low dose aspirin, and the anticoagulant heparin. Fetal monitoring may improve pregnancy outcome, and drugs used to treat recurrent miscarriages should have few adverse effects on the mother. Because the relation between antiphospholipid antibodies and pregnancy failure is not clear, an appropriate treatment for pregnancy failure has not been established. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Antiphospholipid syndrome, Miscarriage

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Chronic pain syndromes

Article Abstract:

Underlying psychological factors may prove to be important components in the development of long-term pain syndromes including myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), fibromyalgia, and repetitive strain syndrome (RPS). Studies have not found a cause for any of these syndromes and controversy surrounds how best to define them and identify and treat affected patients. Fibromyalgia appears to be the most common of the three syndromes and has been shown to affect 0.5% of the men and 3.4% of the women in a selected population. A few studies have documented higher levels of psychological problems associated with these three syndromes.

Psychological aspects, Overuse injuries, Repetition strain injury, Fibromyalgia, Intractable pain

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Acute adrenal insufficiency as a manifestation of the anticardiolipin syndrome?

Article Abstract:

A 34 year old man with a history of blood clots blocking veins deep inside his body, with lupus erythematosus and with antibodies in his blood against fatty components of the outer membranes of various types of microorganisms, developed acute adrenal insufficiency. The patient was not prescribed anticoagulant or prophylaxis, and despite the persistence of serological abnormalities, he has remained symptom free. This is the first report regarding the association between anticardiolipin antibodies and adrenal gland insufficiency.

Thrombosis, Adrenal gland diseases

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