Guillermo Ruiz-Irastorza

..Low dose aspirin should be given to every pregnant woman with antiphospholipid antibodies, with the addition of low molecular weight heparin in those with previous thrombosis, previous fetal death or failure of monotherapy with aspirin...

..To analyze whether changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels affect activity, irreversible organ damage, and fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)...

..Whether antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is the cause of increased irreversible organ damage and mortality in lupus patients is not well established...

..Hydroxychloroquine is a potential additional treatment for this syndrome. Possible future therapies for non-pregnant patients with antiphospholipid syndrome are statins, rituximab, and new anticoagulant drugs...

..Infections commonly complicate the course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our aim is to investigate the clinical predictors of major infections in patients with SLE...

..The aim of the present work was to analyse all the published evidence of the beneficial and adverse effects of AM therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)...

..We aimed to establish the prevalence, predictors and clinical consequences of vitamin D deficiency in patients with SLE...

..To systematically review the efficacy and safety data of different therapeutic approaches in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and thrombosis...

..Due to the often devastating consequences of stroke, we believe there is a place for prolonged, high-intensity anticoagulation in patients with APS and cerebral arterial thrombosis...

..11-10.03) and increasing damage since diagnosis (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.24-4.87). No autoantibody was a predictor of the outcome 'SDI > or = 1 or death at five years'. The conclusion was that aPL predict early damage in patients with SLE...

..Recent studies suggest that antimalarials have antineoplastic properties...

..14 (95% CI 0.04-0.48). Our study shows a protective effect of antimalarials against thrombosis and an increased survival of SLE patients taking these drugs. These data support the routine use of antimalarials in all patients with SLE...

..Risk of thrombosis is not increased in SLE patients with negative LA and transiently positive aCL, even fulfilling Sapporo laboratory criteria, when compared with aPL-negative SLE patients...

..Postpartum follow-up is important...

..Doppler studies of the umbilical and uterine arteries play an important role in predicting APS-related complications during pregnancy...

..Nevertheless, anticoagulation regimes of shorter duration could be given in selected patients with venous thromboembolism who have transient risk factors and a low-risk profile...

..Post-partum follow-up is also essential...

..Correction of vascular risk factors and a high-risk management of pregnancy, including Doppler studies of the uterine and umbilical vessels, are warranted. Hydroxychloroquine and statins are likely to become important in the future...

..To investigate the prevalence and predictors of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to validate a diagnostic strategy...

..5 mg of prednisone seem to minimize adverse effects. Combination therapy with HCQ and the judicious use of immunosuppressive drugs help to keep prednisone therapy within those limits...

..Peripartum thromboprophylaxis with LMWH in women receiving aspirin-only regimens and prevention of osteoporosis in those treated with heparin are considered essential in the medical management of these patients...

..To analyze the results of cardiac valve replacement in a multicenter cohort of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and to identify prognostic factors of poor outcome...

..Close blood pressure control and early detection of proteinuria, together with Doppler studies of the utero-placental circulation should be included in the management protocol...