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NEUROLOGY 1998;51:535-540
© 1998 American Academy of Neurology

Transient monocular blindness and antiphospholipid antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus

R. C.J.M. Donders, MD, L. J. Kappelle, MD, R. H.W.M. Derksen, MD, A. Algra, MD, D. A. Horbach, MD, Ph. G. de Groot, MD and J. van Gijn, MD, FRCPE

From the Departments of Neurology (Drs. Donders, Kappelle, Algra, and van Gijn), Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (Drs. Derksen and Horbach), Julius Centre for Patient Oriented Research (Dr. Algra), and Hematology (Drs. Horbach and de Groot), University Hospital Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to DrJ.M. Donders, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Background and Objective: Among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APA), notably the lupus anticoagulant, and anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) characterizes a subset of patients with a thrombotic tendency. During the regular follow-up care of patients with SLE, we noticed that many described transient visual disturbances. Because a hypercoagulable state may cause transient monocular blindness (TMB), we determined the frequency of TMB and studied its relation to the presence of APA in patients with SLE.

Methods: We asked 175 unselected patients with SLE whether they had transient visual disturbances and reviewed their medical charts. All patients were examined with specific attention to the presence of livedo reticularis. Blood was examined for APA.

Results: Visual disturbances were recorded for 136 (78%) patients. According to predefined criteria, the symptoms were diagnosed as TMB for 10 (6%) patients and as visual disturbances associated with migraine for 18 (10%) patients. Five of the 10 patients with TMB had attacks in either eye. The 175 patients with SLE accrued a maximum total of 6,349 patient years in their lifetime. From this, the incidence of TMB can be calculated to be at least 158 per 100,000 per year. Lupus anticoagulant was detected in 3 of 10 patients with TMB and 41 of 165 patients without TMB (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.2 to 6.0). aCLs were found in 5 of 10 patients with TMB and 91 of 165 patients without TMB (odds ratio, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.2 to 3.7).

Conclusions: The frequency of TMB among patients with SLE is at least 158 per 100,000 compared with the normal population (14 per 100,000 per year). However, among patients with SLE, no significant relation could be shown between TMB and the presence of APA or livedo reticularis.

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Supported by the Netherlands Heart Foundation (grant number 91.081) and by a grant from the Dutch League against Rheumatism (grant number 642).

Received September 15, 1997. Accepted in final form April 24, 1998.

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