Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Severe thrombocytopenia in antiphospholipid syndrome: a retrospective study of 432 patients
Authors' conclusion
Our results suggest that thrombocytopenia is associated with a more severe APS phenotype and increased mortality.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), single centre142 with thrombocytopenia
- Participants
- 432 patients
- Exposure
- APS with thrombocytopenia vs without thrombocytopenia
- Severe thrombocytopenian = 57
- Moderate thrombocytopenian = 85
- Outcome
- Thrombocytopenia during follow-up
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Thrombocytopenia (any)
142
32.9%
Severe thrombocytopenia (< 50 G/L)
57
13%
Moderate thrombocytopenia (50-130 G/L)
85
19.4%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Estimate | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Manifestations, thrombocytopenia vs no thrombocytopeniaThrombocytopenia vs No thrombocytopenia | Lower limb DVT 49% vs 37% | P = 0.014 |
| Manifestations, thrombocytopenia vs no thrombocytopeniaThrombocytopenia vs No thrombocytopenia | Coronary thrombosis 15% vs 6.6% | P = 0.006 |
| Manifestations, thrombocytopenia vs no thrombocytopeniaThrombocytopenia vs No thrombocytopenia | CAPS 27% vs 2.1% | P < 0.001 |
| Manifestations, thrombocytopenia vs no thrombocytopeniaThrombocytopenia vs No thrombocytopenia | Pre-eclampsia 16.8% vs 3.7% | P < 0.001 |
| Manifestations, thrombocytopenia vs no thrombocytopeniaThrombocytopenia vs No thrombocytopenia | Skin ulcer 4.9% vs 1.4% | P = 0.046 |
| Manifestations, thrombocytopenia vs no thrombocytopeniaThrombocytopenia vs No thrombocytopenia | Cutaneous necrosis 7% vs 0.7% | P < 0.001 |
| Manifestations, thrombocytopenia vs no thrombocytopeniaThrombocytopenia vs No thrombocytopenia | MINOCA 7% vs 0.7% | P < 0.001 |
| Manifestations, thrombocytopenia vs no thrombocytopeniaThrombocytopenia vs No thrombocytopenia | Valvular disease 19.7% vs 9.3% | P = 0.002 |
| Manifestations, thrombocytopenia vs no thrombocytopeniaThrombocytopenia vs No thrombocytopenia | Renal manifestations 18.3% vs 3.1% | P < 0.001 |
| Manifestations, thrombocytopenia vs no thrombocytopeniaThrombocytopenia vs No thrombocytopenia | Pulmonary manifestations 5.6% vs 1% | P = 0.007 |
| Overall survivalSevere thrombocytopenia vs No thrombocytopenia · poorer survival | P < 0.0001 |
Overall survival
- Overall survival poorer in severe thrombocytopenia
Aetiology and management of severe thrombocytopenia
- Aetiologies mainly immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS)
- Treated as primary ITP; anticoagulation generally maintained even with bleeding
Original publication
Severe thrombocytopenia in antiphospholipid syndrome: a retrospective study of 432 patients. RMD Open. Published 9 April 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →