Anticardiolipin antibodies: prevalence and pregnancy outcome in UAE multiethnic population

ABSTRACT

This cross-sectional case-control study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies [ACA] among non-pregnant women, normal pregnancy and complicated pregnancy. The sample was selected from three groups. Group A; non-pregnant women, Group B; healthy pregnant women and Group C included complicated pregnancies. All patients had an initial screening for A CA levels [qualitative assessment]. Those who tested positive or borderline were retested [quantitative assessment] after an interval of at least 8 weeks. Data of 496 women were analyzed. Fifty-two [10.5%] women had a previous complicated pregnancy of the total 496 women only five [1%] were positive for either IgG or IgM. Only one [0.2%] tested strongly positive [IgM]. The prevalence of A CA was 0.6% for group A and 1.2% for group B and C. The difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, this study suggests that the prevalence of A CA in very low in this population. Prenatal complications were not associated with ACA status. The use of prophylactic anticoagulants should be based on confirmed laboratory diagnosis