World Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Day Date in the current year: June 9, 2024

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS or APLS) is a rare autoimmune condition in which the body produces antibodies against certain blood proteins that bind to phospholipids (fatty molecules present in cell membranes). The presence of these antibodies may result in thrombosis (blood clots).

There are two main types of APS: primary APS occurs in the absence of other related conditions and secondary APS occurs with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus. A very rare form of APS called catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by widespread clotting that affects multiple organs and systems and often results in rapid organ failure and death.

Untreated APS can lead to complications such as strokes, heart attacks, transient ischemic attacks, pulmonary embolism, skin ulcers, and chronic headaches. According to statistics, the disease is the most frequent cause of stroke in younger people.

APS affects significantly more women than men; between 75% and 90% of those affected are women. APS is especially dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause a range of pregnancy-related complications such as severe pre-eclampsia, miscarriage, preterm delivery, and stillbirth. Approximately 20% of women suffering from recurrent miscarriages have APS.

There is no cure for APS. The treatment of the condition focuses on preventing thrombosis with anticoagulants such as warfarin, low-molecular-weight heparin, or aspirin in low doses. In addition to medication, certain lifestyle changes help relieve symptoms and prevent blood clots. They include a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, drinking plenty of water, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking. Women with APS are generally recommended to avoid medications with estrogen (such as birth control or HRT — hormone replacement therapy) since estrogen increases the risk of clotting.

World APS Day was launched by the APS Foundation of America (APSFA) in 2010 to celebrate its 5th anniversary. The APSFA is the only nonprofit health organization in the United States that focuses on raising national awareness of APS. Since its inception, other APS awareness organizations around the world have started to promote World APS Day, such as APS Support UK.

On World APS Day, people with APS share their stories to raise awareness of the syndrome, and APS organizations host fundraisers and other events to help fund APS research and help APS patients and their families.

If you want to participate in World APS Day, you can wear burgundy to help spread awareness (the APS awareness ribbon is burgundy), share information about the observance on social media with the hashtag #WorldAPSDay, learn more about the condition, and donate to an organization that helps people with APS and funds APS research.