Hughes syndrome, also known as antiphospholipid syndrome, is a disorder of the immune system that causes the blood to be stickier or thicker than normal.
People with Hughes syndrome are at risk of developing conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot that usually develops in the leg) and arterial thrombosis (a clot in an artery), which can cause a stroke or heart attack.
Pregnant women with the syndrome also have an increased risk of having a miscarriage because their blood is unable to pass through the small blood vessels that connect the placenta to the foetus.
Hughes syndrome can affect people of all ages, including children and babies. However, it usually affects adults aged 18-40 years.
There is currently no cure for Hughes syndrome but if it is correctly diagnosed, the risk of developing blood clots can be greatly reduced.
Diagnosing Hughes syndrome
Sometimes, Hughes syndrome is misdiagnosed because its symptoms can be similar to those of multiple sclerosis (a common condition that affects the central nervous system). Shared symptoms include:
- balance and mobility problems
- vision problems, such as double vision
- speech and memory problems
- a tingling sensation or pins and needles in your arms or legs
- fatigue (extreme tiredness)
However, symptoms indicating that a person has Hughes syndrome rather than multiple sclerosis include:
Read more about the symptoms of Hughes syndrome.
A blood test that is specifically designed to identify antiphospholipid antibodies is used to help diagnose Hughes syndrome.
Read more about how Hughes syndrome is diagnosed.
Autoimmune condition
Hughes syndrome is an autoimmune condition. This means the immune system, which usually protects the body from infection and illness, attacks healthy tissue.
In Hughes syndrome, the immune system produces abnormal antibodies called antiphospholipid antibodies. They attack proteins and fats in the blood, including an important type of fat called phospholipid.
Phospholipids and proteins are thought to play an important role in keeping the blood at the right consistency. If the fats and proteins are attacked by antibodies, the blood becomes abnormally sticky, which is why people with Hughes syndrome have an increased risk of getting blood clots.
It is not known what causes the immune system to produce abnormal antibodies, but like other autoimmune conditions, both genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a part.
Read more about the causes of Hughes syndrome.
Treating Hughes syndrome
As there is no cure for Hughes syndrome, the aim of treatment is to reduce the risk of developing further blood clots.
Anticoagulant medicines, such as aspirin and warfarin, are usually prescribed. These reduce the likelihood of blood clots forming when they are not needed but still allow clots to form when you cut yourself.
Additional treatment is also available for pregnant women with Hughes syndrome to help improve their chances of having a successful pregnancy.
Read more about how Hughes syndrome is treated.
How common is Hughes syndrome?
There is evidence that Hughes syndrome is responsible for around:
- 1 in 5 cases of DVT
- 1 in 5 cases of stroke in people who are under 45 years of age
- 1 in 5 cases of recurrent miscarriage (three or more)
Based on these findings, the Hughes Syndrome Foundation estimates that the syndrome may affect around 1% of the UK population.
Outlook
Despite having serious and potentially life-threatening consequences, once treatment for Hughes syndrome begins, the outlook is generally good. Most people respond well to anticoagulants and are able to lead normal, healthy lives.
Treatment with anticoagulants can also help to improve the outcomes of pregnancy and an estimated 75-80% of women will have a successful pregnancy after being treated.
Unfortunately, a small number of people with Hughes syndrome continue to experience blood clots despite having extensive treatment.
