OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the nutricional intervention in the loss of the weight excess (WE), in patients with the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). METHODS: Forty patients older than 18 years-old were included, with a diagnosis of either primary or secondary APS, followed at the the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic from HCFM-USP and were recruited between october/2005 and february/06. Demographic data and patient records were reviewed. Body weight, height and current Body Mass Index (BMI) were recorded as well as diet adjustment according to ideal BMI. Patients were subjected to a first medical and nutritional evaluation and subsequently at least 2 months after baseline. RESULTS: The mean age was 41 years old and 93% of the patients were female. The patients with primary APS were 25%, the mean disease duration was 2 years. Venous thrombosis occurred in 63%, arterial in 48% and obstetric events in 27%. In the first consultation 68% presented WE, 27% were euthrophic and 5% were of low weight (LW). After three months of intervention, the eutrophics maintained body weight while those with LW became eutrophic. Among the patients with WE (n=27), 82% lost weight, 14% had gained weight and 4% kept their weight. Specifically, 11 patients had-3 % of weight loss, 8 lost 4-7%, 2 lost 8-9%, and 1 patient lost 13.6% while under nutritional counseling. CONCLUSION: The data demonstrate that nutritional intervention help achieving reduction in body weight. This may lead to reduction of the thrombotic risk in a short period of time. Nutritional intervention may thus be a valuable initial therapeutic approach to adjust body weight in patients with APS.
antiphospholipid antibody syndrome; obesity; thrombosis; metabolic syndrome; overweight
