Antiphospholipid antibodies as risk factor for venous thromboembolism

The aim of the following study was to determine the prevalence of lupus anticoagulant (LA) and anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL) in patients with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The patient group comprised 218 subjects with VTE before the age of 45, recurrent VTE or thrombosis in an unusual site. The control group consisted of 218 age, and sex-matched healthy individuals. LA and/or ACL were detected in 19 among 218 patients (8.7%). Lupus anticoagulant was found in 17 patients with VTE and in none out of 218 controls. The odds ratio for having venous thromboembolism was 14.1 (95% CI: 1.8-108.8) for patients with LA. Lupus anticoagulant is significantly associated with VTE. The prevalence of anticardiolipin was similar in patients and in controls. The results of our study indicate that anticardiolipin antibodies are not associated with venous thromboembolism.