HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by KUTTEH, W. H. Articles by KUTTEH, C. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by KUTTEH, W. H. Articles by KUTTEH, C. C.

Multiples of the Median: An Alternative Method for Reporting Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Women With Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

From the Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether using multiples of the median (MoM) is a useful method of standardization for reporting antiphospholipid antibody results.

Methods: Each antibody was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the Harris calibration set no. 2, with values recorded as phospholipid units and as MoM. The levels of antiphospholipid antibodies were compared in 100 nonpregnant women diagnosed with recurrent pregnancy loss (three or more spontaneous, consecutive losses) and 100 nonpregnant parous women with no history of reproductive problems (controls). Results were analyzed based on phospholipid units for immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM and were considered positive if phospholipid units were at least 20 or if MoM was at least 2.5. All lower values were considered negative.

Results: When results were calculated using at least 2.5 MoM as positive, none of the controls had positive levels. Overall, IgG anticardiolipin identified the largest number of women with elevated antiphospholipid antibodies. Immunoglobulin G antiphosphatidyl glycerol was more "selective" when elevated since none of the controls were positive by either analysis; however, only half of the subjects determined to be positive using anticardiolipin were identified.

Conclusion: The MoM method of reporting results may be more useful than phospholipid units for IgG or IgM.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. D. Franklin and W. H. Kutteh Effects of Unfractionated and Low Molecular Weight Heparin on Antiphospholipid Antibody Binding In Vitro Obstet. Gynecol., March 1, 2003; 101(3): 455 - 462. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R.D. Franklin and W.H. Kutteh Antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) and recurrent pregnancy loss: treating a unique APA positive population Hum. Reprod., November 1, 2002; 17(11): 2981 - 2985. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Stern, G. Baker, and L.W. Chamley Antiphospholipid antibodies and reproductive failure Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2000; 15(7): 1649 - 1650. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Hill Immunotherapy for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: "Standard of Care of Buyer Beware" Reproductive Sciences, November 1, 1997; 4(6): 267 - 273. [PDF]