Tracking Platelet Count Changes to Understand Severity and Survival in Antiphospholipid Syndrome A Multicenter Observational Study

What this Trial Is About

Antiphospholipid syndrome APS often involves thrombocytopenia, a low platelet count, which is now recognized as an important feature in the 2023 ACREULAR APS criteria. Persistent or moderate thrombocytopenia is linked to reduced long-term survival and a more severe disease profile with higher risk of blood clots and death. This study aims to understand how changes in platelet counts over time relate to disease severity and survival in patients with APS. Researchers will gather routine and hospitalization platelet count data from APS patients with confirmed diagnosis and persistent antibody positivity. Using advanced statistical methods, patients will be grouped by their platelet count patterns over at least 12 months into categories such as stable normal, transient, intermittent, or persistent thrombocytopenia of varying severity. This study will track these groups to explore how platelet trajectories predict clinical outcomes. Participants will have their platelet counts collected from past medical records covering at least one year. The study will measure outcomes including all-cause mortality from diagnosis up to five years and recurrent thrombotic events over an average of five years. This observational approach will help researchers assess the relationship between platelet count changes and long-term health risks in APS, without introducing new treatments or interventions.

Thrombocytopenia Trajectories in Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Multicenter Cohort Study