Antiphospholipid antibody positivity in early systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with subsequent vascular events.

Objective: aPL are found in the blood of 20-30% of patients with SLE. Although aPL cause vascular thrombosis in the antiphospholipid syndrome, it is not clear whether positive aPL levels in early SLE increase risk of subsequent vascular events (VE). In a previous analysis of 276 patients with SLE, we found that early positivity for ≥2 of IgG anti-cardiolipin (anti-CL), IgG anti-β2-glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) and anti-domain I of β2-glycoprotein I (anti-DI) showed a possible association with VE.

Improving communication on medical ward rounds with patients who speak limited English with implementation of medical communication charts.

Aim: To improve communication on the medical ward round with patients with limited English through implementation of a medical communication chart.

Local Problem: King's College Hospital (KCH), London, is situated in Southwark in which 11% of households have no members that speak English as a first language, 4.1% of London's population report they do not speak English well.

Antiphospholipid antibody levels in early systemic lupus erythematosus: are they associated with subsequent mortality and vascular events?

Objectives: aPL are present in between 20 and 30% of patients with SLE. They can cause vascular events (VE) or pregnancy morbidity. aCL and anti-beta-2-glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) are measured in clinical practice.