Lupus diagnosis
June 2012
What's the clinical significance, if any, of a positive lupus antibody in a patient with a prolonged PTT?
Dawn L. Ross, MD, Halifax, NS
I suspect you mean a positive ANA or more significant serology? A prolonged PTT (on more than one occasion) requires evaluation, particularly if associated with a thrombotic event. This may reflect a factor deficient of a lupus anticoagulant. If there's concordant suspicion or evidence of SLE or related disorder, the significance of this finding is further increased, as the potential for further coagulopathic events increases substantially.
Laurence Rubin, MD
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