Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Delayed diagnosis contributes to increased thrombotic burden and independently predicts severe organ damage in thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors' conclusion
In thrombotic APS, diagnosis delay is associated with increased number of thrombotic events and recurrent thrombosis, and is an independent predictor of severe organ damage.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) (Sydney criteria); 76.7% female, 71.8% primary APS, median age at onset 40.5 (28–51) years
- Participants
- 252 patients
- Exposure
- Diagnostic delay ≥12 months vs <12 months
- Outcome
- Damage (DIAPS ≥1) and severe damage (DIAPS ≥ 3)
Methodological detailsCox regression, multivariate analysis
- Cox regression
- Multivariate analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Severe damage (DIAPS ≥ 3)
Diagnosis delay vs No diagnosis delayEstimate (95% CI)
Severe damage (DIAPS ≥ 3)
HR 2.99(1.25–7.16)
Multivariate analysis
aHR 3.18(1.24–8.12)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Time to diagnosis (single group)
- Median time to diagnosis, months
- 12
- Diagnosis delay ≥12 months
- 53.6%
Damage and severe damage frequency (single group)
- Damage
- 75.4%
- Severe damage
- 21.0%
Thrombotic burden with diagnosis delay
- Diagnosis delay associated with higher cumulative thrombotic events, recurrent thrombosis and anticoagulation delay
- all p < .001
Other predictors of severe damage
- Secondary APS, HR
- 2.65 (1.52-4.62) (95% CI)
- Recurrent thrombosis, HR
- 2.66 (1.52-4.66) (95% CI)
- Neither predicted damage
Original publication
Delayed diagnosis contributes to increased thrombotic burden and independently predicts severe organ damage in thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome. Lupus. Published 17 November 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →