Anticardiolipin antibodies: Prevalence and pregnancy outcome in UAE multiethnic population

This cross-sectional case-control study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) among non-pregnant women, normal pregnancy and complicated pregnancy. The sample was selected from three groups. Group A; non-pregnant women, Group B; healthy pregnant women and Group C included complicated pregnancies. All patients had an initial screening for ACA levels (qualitative assessment). Those who tested positive or borderline were retested (quantitative assessment) after an interval of at least 8 weeks. Data of 496 women were analysed. Fifty-two (10.5%) women had a previous complicated pregnancy. Of the total 496 women only five (1%) were positive for either IgG or IgM. Only one (0.2%) tested strongly positive (IgM). The prevalence of ACA was 0.6% for group A and 1.2% for group B and C. The difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, this study suggests that the prevalence of ACA in very low in this population. Prenatal complications were not associated with ACA status. The use of prophylactic anticoagulants should be based on confirmed laboratory diagnosis.