Package "APS screening"

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of various antibodies to phospholipids and increased blood clotting. The syndrome can occur as an independent disease or be associated with a number of rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or Sjogren's syndrome.

APS syndrome most commonly manifests as venous and arterial thrombosis.

The next most common manifestation of APS syndrome is pregnancy abnormalities, such as recurrent miscarriages, premature labor, and intrauterine fetal death.

Thrombosis in APS can occur in any organs and tissues of the human body. For example, in the vessels of the brain, thereby causing disorders of the nervous system such as strokes (especially in young people), headaches, migraine, memory lapses, etc. Also, the formation of blood clots can occur in the heart vessels and patients complain of pain in the chest area, which can lead to heart attack, usually in young people.

The final diagnosis is established according to the new EULAR 2023 (European League Against Rheumatism) classification criteria for the diagnosis of APS, namely, the presence of at least one clinical and one laboratory diagnostic criterion is considered.

Clinical symptoms of APS usually include venous and/or arterial thrombosis and obstetric pathology (spontaneous abortions).

The laboratory diagnostic criterion for classification is considered met when two consecutive tests, at least 12 weeks apart, are positive for lupus anticoagulant (A1/LA2) and/or antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) to cardiolipin isotype IgG/IgM or β2-glycoprotein I isotype IgG/IgM.

In addition to patients with suspected APS, the EULAR 2023 recommendation is to screen all patients with SLE for APS as a more frequent co-morbidity.

The APS Screening Package includes laboratory tests that are included in the new EULAR 2023 classification criteria.

Determination of Ig G to β2-Glycoprotein I;
Determination of Ig M to β2-Glycoprotein I;
Determination of Ig G to cardiolipin;
Determination of Ig M to cardiolipin;
Determination of lupus anticoagulant (LA1/LA2)