Abstract
Introduction Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder marked by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), contributing to a heightened thrombotic risk and complications in pregnancy. This study explores the clinical and immunologic features of APS among patients at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, aiming to fill gaps in local APS data and enhance disease profiling. Methods A cross-sectional chart review was conducted for APS patients at KAMC from January 2008 to April 2023. Patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) APS criteria were included. Clinical manifestations, pregnancy-related complications, and immunologic profiles were documented, and gender differences were statistically analyzed. Results Eighty-eight patients were included, with a female predominance (76.1%). Deep vein thrombosis (35.2%) and recurrent miscarriages (33.0%) were the leading clinical manifestations in males and females, respectively. Stroke and pulmonary embolism were also prevalent, reported in 23.9% each. Anti-cardiolipin antibodies were the most common immunologic marker (56.8%), with a significant gender-based difference favoring males (76.2% vs. 50.7%). Notably, the prevalence of multiple aPL positivity was 31.8%, which was higher among males (42.9%) than females (28.4%), without statistical significance. Conclusion This study contributes essential epidemiological data on APS in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing gender differences and clinical heterogeneity. The findings align with other local studies, indicating younger age of onset in the Saudi population and unique gender-specific differences. High-risk APS patients, particularly males, show a higher risk of thrombosis, warranting personalized preventive strategies. These results underscore the need for tailored APS management, supporting future research to optimize APS care in this region.