AB0330 ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES AND ANTICOAGULANT TREATMENT: CAPILLAROSCOPIC FINDINGS

Background:Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune condition characterized by arterial and/or venous thrombosis and/or obstetric morbidity, associated with the presence in the serum of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) [1]. Subjects with confirmed positivity of aPL in absence of thrombotic/obstetric manifestations are identified as aPL carriers [2] The microangiopathy detected by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) in APS and in aPL-carrier patients is poorly investigated, as well as the possible interference of anticoagulant drugs [3].Objectives:To compare microvascular damage in APS, aPL carriers and a group of patients (CTR) without aPL positivity and on regular warfarin therapy for cardiovascular indicationsMethods:NVC investigations were performed as part of standard procedures in APS patients (18, mean age 50.0±12.8 years), aPL carriers (24, mean age 46.4±16.4 years) and CTR without aPL (18, mean age 74±12.5 years) in therapy with oral anticoagulant (warfarin) for non-immunological vascular complications (atrial fibrillation, mechanical heart valve, deep venous thrombosis). Only patients affected by primary APS form were selected from data files (2006 Sapporo classification criteria). The following NVC parameters were availble: dilated capillaries, giant capillaries, microhemorrhages (with particular attention to linear and thin hemosiderin deposits, arranged perpendicularly and parallel to the nailfold bed, “comb-like”), abnormal shape (i.e. brunched “bushy” capillaries) and capillary number reduction. Those parameters were scored according to a semi-quantitative scale [4,5]. Statistical analysis was performed by non-parametric tests. Any p values equal or lower than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:APS patients showed a higher score for dilated capillaries (p=0.001), more frequent microhemorrhages (p=0.03), in particular “comb-like” microhemorrhages (p=0.007) than simply aPL carriers. Of note, there wasn’t a statistically significant difference in the number of microhemorrhages between APS and CTR group (p=0.23), but again the number of “comb-like” hemorrhages, was almost absent in the CTR group (p=0.03). No significant correlation was found between the different aPL subtypes and the NVC parameters.Conclusion:APS patients showed significantly higher number of non-specific NVC abnormalities than aPL carriers. Anticoagulant treatment could represent a further risk factor for the appearance of microhemorrhages in all the patients, being the NVC “comb-like“ pattern mainly associated with the APS. Further investigations with larger cohorts of patients are needed for the definition of a possible APS specific NVC-pattern.References:[1]Ruiz-Irastorza G et al. Lancet. 2010;376(9751):1498-509. 2. Pengo V et al. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2012;38:322-7. 3. Sulli A et al. J Rheumatol. 2000;27:1574-6. 4. Smith V et al. 2020. Autoimmun Rev. 19:102458. 5. Sulli A et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2008;67:885-7.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

The association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and preterm delivery: a prospective study with a multivariable analysis

Background To determine whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19 disease) exposure in pregnancy, compared to non-exposure, is associated with infection-related obstetric morbidity. Methods We conducted a multicentre prospective study in pregnancy based on a universal antenatal screening program for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Throughout Spain 45 hospitals tested all women at admission on delivery ward using polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) for COVID-19 since late March 2020. The cohort of positive mothers and the concurrent sample of negative mothers was followed up until 6-weeks post-partum. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusting for known confounding variables, determined the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection and obstetric outcomes. Main outcome measures: Preterm delivery (primary), premature rupture of membranes and neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Results Among 1009 screened pregnancies, 246 were SARS-CoV-2 positive. Compared to negative mothers (763 cases), SARS-CoV-2 infection increased the odds of preterm birth (34 vs 51, 13.8% vs 6.7%, aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.32–3.36, p = 0.002); iatrogenic preterm delivery was more frequent in infected women (4.9% vs 1.3%, p = 0.001), while the occurrence of spontaneous preterm deliveries was statistically similar (6.1% vs 4.7%). An increased risk of premature rupture of membranes at term (39 vs 75, 15.8% vs 9.8%, aOR 1.70, 95% CI 1.11–2.57, p = 0.013) and neonatal intensive care unit admissions (23 vs 18, 9.3% vs 2.4%, aOR 4.62, 95% CI 2.43–8.94, p < 0.001) was also observed in positive mothers. Conclusion This prospective multicentre study demonstrated that pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 have more infection-related obstetric morbidity. This hypothesis merits evaluation of a causal association in further research.

A STUDY ON ANTENATAL MORBIDITIES IN A CORPORATION REFERRAL HOSPITAL, BANGALORE.

Maternal deaths have been described as the tip of the iceberg and maternal morbidity as the base. Over the last decade, identication of maternal morbidity emerged as an alternative investigation of maternal deaths. World-wide studies regarding maternal mortality are of highest importance but studies regarding obstetric morbidity are still sparse, hence in this context the present study was undertaken to know the morbidities in antenatal period. Objectives: 1. To describe socio demographic prole of study subjects. 2. To assess the antenatal morbidities among study subjects. Subjects and Methods: A longitudinal study done in a Municipal corporation referral hospital Banashankari attached to KIMS, Bangalore. A total of 250 pregnant women were included in the study by using purposive sampling method after fullling inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was collected using pre-tested; semi structured proforma, which had details on socio-demographic variables, types of morbidities were noted done. Subsequently, all the pregnant women were followed up until delivery day and details were collected when they came to the hospital check-up or by telephonic conversations. Among 250 study subjects, majority (46.4%) were in the Results: age group of 21-25 years and mean age ± SD was 23.7±3.7 years. Majority i.e., 203(81.2%) had one/ more morbidities during the antenatal period. 46(18.4%) ,90(36.0%) 100(40.0%) pregnant women had anaemia in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester respectively. Majorit Conclusion: y of study subjects had one or more morbidities during their entire antenatal period and the most common morbidity was anaemia.

Antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by arterial and/or venous thromboses and/or obstetric morbidity in patients persistently positive for moderate to high titres of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) according to the current classification criteria. Pregnancy morbidity includes unexplained consecutive recurrent 1st trimester pregnancy loss (<10 weeks’ gestation), any 2nd or 3rd trimester pregnancy loss, premature birth before 34 weeks of gestation due to conditions associated with ischemic placental dysfunction including severe pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, foetal growth restriction, and intrauterine death. Current treatment to prevent obstetrical morbidity is based on low-dose aspirin and/or low molecular-weight heparin and has improved pregnancy outcomes to achieve successful live birth in >70% of pregnancies. Although hydroxychloroquine and pravastatin might further improve pregnancy outcomes, prospective clinical trials are required to confirm these findings.

Acute abdomen in a term pregnancy due to isolated tubal torsion

Objective: Isolated tubal torsion in pregnancy is a rare condition we want to present this case. Case(s): In our study, we present a 23-year-old woman primigravida at 37 weeks of gestation with acute right lower abdominal pain. The clinical and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings led to diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Emergency exploratory laparotomy and cesarean section were performed. A twisted right Fallopian tube and Morgagni’s cyst was noted and right salpingectomy was performed. Conclusion: Although isolated tubal torsion during pregnancy is very rare, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in pregnancy. Early surgical intervention will decrease obstetric morbidity.

The association between COVID-19 and preterm delivery: A cohort study with a multivariate analysis

Structured abstract Objective: To determine whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2, the cause of COVID 19 disease) exposure in pregnancy, compared to non exposure, is associated with infection related obstetric morbidity. Design and setting: Throughout Spain, 45 hospitals took part in the universal screening of pregnant women going into labour using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for COVID 19 since late March 2020. Methods: The cohort of exposed and unexposed pregnancies was followed up until 6 weeks postpartum. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusting for known confounding variables, determined the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the association of COVID 19 exposure, compared to non exposure, with infection related obstetric outcomes. Main outcome measures: Preterm delivery (primary), premature rupture of membranes and neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Results: In the cohort of 1,009 screened pregnancies, 246 were COVID 19 positive. Compared to non exposure, COVID 19 exposure increased the odds of preterm birth (34 vs 51, 13.8% vs 6.7%, aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.32 3.36, p=0.002), premature rupture of membranes at term (39 vs 75, % vs 9.8%, aOR 1.70, 95% CI 1.11 2.57, p=0.013) and neonatal intensive care unit admissions (23 vs 18, 9.3% vs 2.4%, aOR 4.62, 95% CI 2.43 8.94, p<0.001). Conclusion: This first prospective cohort study demonstrated that pregnant women infected with SARS CoV 2 have more infection related obstetric morbidity. This hypothesis merits evaluation of a causal association in further research.

16th International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies Task Force Report on Obstetric Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) remains a clinical challenge for practitioners, with several controversial points that have not been answered so far. This Obstetric APS Task Force met on the 16th International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Manchester, England, to discuss about treatment, diagnostic and clinical aspects of the disease. This report will address evidence-based medicine related to obstetric APS, including limitations on our current management, the relationship between antibodies against domain 1 of β2GPI and obstetric morbidity, hydroxychloroquine use in patients with obstetric APS and factors associated with thrombosis after obstetric APS. Finally, future directions for better understanding this complex condition are also reported by the Task Force coordinators.