Antiphospholipid syndrome in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Cutis. 2017 Mar;99(3):E21-E24.

Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune condition characterized by a thrombotic event and/or pregnancy morbidity in the presence of persistently elevated antiphospholipid (aPL) antibody titers, which are most prevalent in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus but also have been associated with other autoimmune, malignant, and infectious diseases. In contrast to the clear correlation between high aPL antibody titers and thrombotic events in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, the pathogenic role of these autoantibodies in association with other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is not as well defined. We report a case of APS manifesting as cutaneous ulceration and necrosis in a patient with severe RA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / immunology*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / immunology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Necrosis
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Skin Ulcer / diagnosis*
  • Skin Ulcer / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antiphospholipid