Antiphospholipid Antibody and Recurrent Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract

Although aPLs (antiphospholipid antibodies) are associated with thrombotic events, especially in young patients, the role of aPLs in recurrent ischemic strokes (RIS) is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between aPLs and RIS. The systematic review was conducted by a computer-assisted search of literature in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library published in English or Korean from 1990, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement (PRISMA). Review Manager 5.3 software was used for statistical analyses. Of the 2272 identified articles, 8 studies were included (2510 subjects; 844 aPL positive). The meta-analysis revealed a relative risk of aPLs for RIS of 1.41 (95% CI, 0.91-2.17; <i>I</i>²=54%). In the subgroup analysis, age <50 years, ethnicity, and type of aPL did not increase the risk of RIS. We found that aPLs are not an independent predictor for RIS in adults. However, considering the nonstandardized disease criteria, further well-designed prospective trials should be considered to confirm these findings.