Antiphospholipid syndrome autoantibodies induction after treatment with anti-TNF alpha therapy in patients with IBD

Introduction

Ant-iTNF treatment has been broadly linked with autoantibodies and autoimmune disorders development. After the clinical observation of aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin clotting time) prolongation in our cohort of IBD patients treated with anti-TNF, we sought to determine the presence of antiphospolipid antibodies in our population, along with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) occurrence.

Methods

We included in the study 289 patients treated with anti-TNFα antibodies.

Results

Twenty four of 289 patients presented a prolonged aPPT (8.3%) after starting anti-TNF treatment. We found antiphospholipid antibodies in 70.8% (17/24) of patients with aPTT prolongation. No major thrombotic events were reported although one patient met criteria for APS because of persistent antiphospolipid antibodies and two miscarriages. Another patient was diagnosed with lupus-like syndrome.

Conclusion

Anti-TNF treatment is associated with the induction of various antibodies, among them, antiphospholipid antibodies. However, a very low number of patients develop APS. Testing for antiphospholipid antibodies patients with prolonged aPPT could identify those at risk and lead to individualized treatment. Additional prospective studies are necessary to acquire more information.