Antiphospholipid (Hughes) syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus

The antiphospholipid (Hughes) syndrome (APS) was initially described in connection with SLE. It occurs in approximately 30% of patients with SLE. Clinical features and aPL specificities are similar between the primary and secondary forms of APS. The clinical course of the secondary syndrome is independent of the activity and severity of lupus, but the presence of the APS worsens the prognosis of patients with lupus. Treatment of the APS remains empirical and directed at coagulation mechanisms and immune mechanisms because of the limited amount of controlled prospective data.