CAPS

Q: Which of the following has the highest risk factor for Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS)? (select one)

A) Sepsis

B) Cancer

C) Estrogen 

D) Pregnancy/postpartum 

E) Active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Answer: A

Many patients with antiphospholipid antibodies present CAPS as an initial symptom. The most inciting trigger event is known to be an infection. Interestingly the lowest risk factor is with SLE. In descending order, the risk factors are:

• Infection
• Surgery
• Cancer 
• Estrogen
• Pregnancy 
• Active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) 

#rheumatology

References:

1. Cervera R, Rodríguez-Pintó I, Legault K, Erkan D. 16th International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies Task Force Report on Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Lupus 2020; 29:1594.

2. Bayraktar UD, Erkan D, Bucciarelli S, et al. The clinical spectrum of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome in the absence and presence of lupus. J Rheumatol 2007; 34:346.