question and answer
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.
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