Clinical significance of anticardiolipin antibodies in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

ObjectiveAnticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) have been demonstrated in a large spectrum of autoimmune diseases. However, its occurrence in childhood, in particular in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), is not well established. The present study addressed the frequency and clinical significance of aCL in a group of JIA patients.MethodsaCL (IgG and IgM isotypes), antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and rheumatoid factor (RF) were determined in 86 children with JIA (33 systemic, 31 polyarticular and 22 oligoarticular onset type). Thirty-two juvenile systemic erythematosus lupus patients (JSLE) and 52 healthy children formed the control groups. The disease activity and functional status of the JIA patients were scored to study their possible associations with the presence of aCL.ResultsSerum aCL levels above the normal range were detected in 28/86 JIA patients (32.5%), 12/32 JSLE patients (37.5%), and 3/52 healthy children (6%). Positive aCL levels were slightly or moderately elevated (usually below 30 GPL and 20 MPL). The presence of aCL was not associated with the presence of ANA or RE Associations between aCL and clinical parameters, such as disease onset, duration, activity or severity could not be established. No JIA patient had vascular thrombosis, thrombocytopenia or livedo reticularis.ConclusionaCL occurred in low titers in JIA children, in a similar frequency to that observed in JSLE. No association with JIA clinical parameters or the clinical features classically linked to the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome were observed.Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Rheumatol, BR-04023062 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Div Pediat Rheumatol, Rio De Janeiro, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Rheumatol, BR-04023062 Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc