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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
The role of phospholipids
When you bleed, such as from a cut or during menstruation, your body protects you from losing too much blood by the process of clotting (coagulation). Clotting is a complex process, involving a number of steps and several bodily substances.
Phospholipids, which make up cell membranes, are one of the substances involved. If you have antiphospholipid syndrome, your antibodies mistakenly attack either your phospholipids or proteins in your blood that bind to your phospholipids.
Classifications
There are two main classifications of antiphospholipid syndrome:
- Primary. If you have no other autoimmune disorder, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), you have primary antiphospholipid syndrome.
- Secondary. If you do have lupus or another autoimmune disorder, your antiphospholipid syndrome is secondary.
With secondary antiphospholipid syndrome, the cause is considered to be your lupus or other autoimmune disorder.
The cause of primary antiphospholipid syndrome is unknown. However, some factors are associated with developing antiphospholipid antibodies — though not necessarily developing the syndrome. They include:
- Infections. People with syphilis, HIV infection, hepatitis C and malaria, among others, have a higher incidence of having the antibodies.
- Medications. Taking certain drugs, such as the high blood pressure medication hydralazine, the anti-seizure medication phenytoin (Dilantin) and the antibiotic amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox), may lead to an increased risk.
- Genetic predispositions. Although the disorder isn't considered hereditary, research indicates that relatives of people with antiphospholipid syndrome are more likely to have the antibodies.
- Ahmed K, et al. Postpartum spontaneous colonic perforation due to antiphospholipid syndrome. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2009;15:502.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/antiphosphlipid/antiphospholipid.htm. Accessed Jan. 21, 2009.
- Learning about antiphospholipid syndrome. National Human Genome Research Institute. http://www.genome.gov/pfv.cfm?pageID=17516396. Accessed Jan. 21, 2009.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome. Washington, D.C.: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2008 Compendium of Selected Publications. 2008.
- Pruthi RK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 5, 2009.
- Bermas BL, et al. Diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
