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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffRisk factors for antiphospholipid syndrome include:
- Having an autoimmune condition, such as lupus or Sjogren's syndrome. This increases your risk of developing antiphospholipid antibodies.
- Having certain infections, such as syphilis or hepatitis C.
- Taking certain medications, such as hydralazine for high blood pressure.
- Having a family member with antiphospholipid syndrome.
Antiphospholipid syndrome occurs most frequently in young to middle-aged women, although it can occur at any age and also affects men.
Risk factors for developing symptoms
It's possible to have the antibodies associated with antiphospholipid syndrome without ever developing signs or symptoms. However, if you have these antibodies, your risk of developing blood clots increases particularly if you:
- Become pregnant
- Remain immobile for a period of time (such as sitting during a long airline flight)
- Undergo surgery
- Smoke cigarettes
- Have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Take oral contraceptives
- 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.
