Hughes Syndrome


Hughes Syndrome, also known as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) or 'sticky blood' syndrome is an autoimmune condition which affects the blood and its ability to clot.

People with Hughes Syndrome have an increased tendency to form clots in blood vessels. As this clotting can affect any blood vessel anywhere in the body, it can cause a range of possible symptoms, some of which - pins and needles, balance difficulties, fatigue, and visual disturbances - are also experienced by people with MS.

Occasional press stories report misdiagnosis of Hughes Syndrome as multiple sclerosis, but this seems to be rare. A visual evoked potentials test will be likely to distinguish Hughes Syndrome from MS.

Hughes Syndrome can be diagnosed by blood tests, and is treatable using blood-thinning medications such as warfarin.

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References
Uthman I, et al.
Hughes syndrome and multiple sclerosis.
Lupus. 2015 Feb;24(2):115-21
Summary (link is external)
Paran D, et al.
Evoked potential studies in the antiphospholipid syndrome: differential diagnosis from multiple sclerosis.
Ann Rheum Dis. 2006 Apr;65(4):525-8.
Full article (link is external)