Clinical significance of anti-phospholipid antibodies in Henoch Schönlein purpura

Abstract

Background: Henoch Schönlein purpura also known as IgA vasculitis is described histologically by IgA deposition in the blood vessel walls and presents with kidney involvement, palpable purpura, arthralgia, and abdominal pain. Our study aims to evaluate the association between anti-phospholipid antibody, anti-cardiolipin antibody, anti-beta(2) glycoprotein 1 antibody and Anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies and IgA vasculitis. Treatment response with intravenous steroids and cyclophosphamide was also studied based on resolution of antibody titer.Methods: We conducted an observational study in three Rheumatology clinics at Ahmedabad, India. Data was collected for a period of 6 months. Diagnosis of IgA vasculitis was determined based on the International Chapel hill consensus conference 2012. Disease activity was assessed based on antibody titer, histological grading and through a pre-determined clinical form to assess objective clinical symptoms. P value of less than 0.05 was considered significantResults: Study evaluated antibody titer of 178 patients. Sixty one percent of the patient's had positive anti-phospholipid antibody titer with predominant antibody subtype as IgG. Inflammatory markers were significantly higher in patient having anti-phospholipid antibody titer. Anti-phospholipid antibody was present in 100 percent patients who had vascular thrombosis. IgG subtype of anti-cardiolipin antibody were found in 60 percent of the patients with renal complication.Conclusions: Anti-phospholipid antibody have a close association with IgA vasculitis. Anti-phospholipid antibody has a significant role in mounting inflammatory response and vascular thrombosis. Combination treatment of intravenous steroids and cyclophosphamide found to be more effective in resolution of titer