Association of anticardiolipin antibodies and pregnancy loss in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the pregnancy history in relation to the presence or absence of anticardiolipin antibodies in women who had been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

DESIGN

One-hundred twenty-five women of reproductive age who were diagnosed with SLE and attended the Lupus Clinic at Parkland Memorial Hospital or Southwestern Medical Center were selected for this study. A retrospective review of patient histories, including anticardiolipin antibody test results and pregnancy histories, was conducted. Women who had therapeutic pregnancy terminations were excluded from this study. A chi 2 analysis was used to evaluate the significance of the data.

RESULTS

In women with SLE of childbearing age with anticardiolipin antibodies, a 39% pregnancy loss rate occurred, compared with an 11% loss rate in anticardiolipin antibody-negative women. In women with at least two pregnancies who had anticardiolipin antibodies, 27% experienced two or more losses, whereas only 3% of antibody-negative women had recurrent pregnancy loss.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that women with SLE and the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies are at increased risk for pregnancy loss.