Primary antiphospholipid syndrome: features of patients with raised anticardiolipin antibodies and no other disorder
Article Abstract:
High levels of antiphospholipid antibodies, which fight the invasion of fat molecules in cell membranes, have been noted in patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an inflammatory disease of the connective tissues in which the body's own immune system attacks itself. There is, however, a group of patients with high levels of antiphospholipid antibodies who do not suffer from any well-defined disease, although they have the symptoms associated with high levels of these antibodies. Results of blood tests of 20 such patients were evaluated. Fourteen patients had high levels of immunoglobulin G protein, which functions as an antibody, 12 had high levels of immunoglobulin M protein and six had elevated levels of both. Nine of these 19 patients had high levels of antibodies that destroy the nuclei of cells, but none of these patients had SLE. The patients' symptoms were also analyzed. The symptoms of patients suffering from what may be called the 'primary antiphospholipid syndrome' are similar to the symptoms of patients with other problems who have high levels of antiphospholipid antibodies. The antiphospholipid syndrome may be related to SLE and other diseases in which the body's disease-fighting immune system attacks itself.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1989
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Antiphospholipid antibodies: a risk factor for occlusive ocular vascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus and the 'primary' antiphospholipid syndrome
Article Abstract:
Eighty-four patients with high levels of anticardiolupin antibodies, which attack molecules found in the membranes of all cells, were examined. Seven of these patients had blockages of blood vessels either of the retina or the choroid. Six of the patients suffered from arthritis caused by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a disease in which the immune system attacks body tissues, resulting in connective tissue degeneration. The other patient, who had high levels of cardiolipin, suffered from blockages of various blood vessels of the eye. Four patients also suffered from diseases of the brain's blood vessels, supporting previous claims that there is a correlation in SLE between blockage of the blood vessels of the eye and diseases of the brain and spinal cord. Patients with SLE and high levels of antibodies to phospholipids have a higher risk of developing blockages of the blood vessels of the eye than previously reported.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1989
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Putative analgesic activity of repeated oral doses of vitamin E in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: results of a prospective placebo controlled double blind trial
Article Abstract:
Oral doses of vitamin E may relieve pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by influencing central nervous system pain pathways, rather than by a joint-specific anti-inflammatory activity. Forty-two patients with RA on anti-inflammatory therapy were also treated with twice-daily doses of 600 milligrams of vitamin E or placebo. None of the laboratory or clinical measures of inflammation were changed by the treatment, but both the patients receiving treatment and their observers reported significant pain relief compared to those taking the placebo. This indicates a general analgesic action on the central nervous system.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1997
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