Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) now has a method to measure the risk of thrombosis in each patient, allowing anticoagulation to be adjusted. But make no mistake: we are talking about modifying doses of heparin and warfarin, drugs that have been in use for decades. Personalization sounds like a revolution, but the foundation remains the same.
Genetic testing: the new luxury of anticoagulation 🧬
The key to the advancement lies in genetic panels that identify variants associated with a higher risk of clots. The problem is that these tests are not covered by public healthcare, and their cost makes them a privilege. Those who can afford them will receive a tailored treatment; the rest will continue with the standard protocol, which already worked for the majority. The research was funded by laboratories that manufacture these anticoagulants, seeking to extend patents rather than revolutionize therapy.
The good news: APS remains rare 🩺
Rest assured: APS affects few people, so the real impact of these advances is limited. But headlines sell, and pharmaceutical companies need their dose of innovation for show. Meanwhile, most autoimmune diseases remain without a cure and with slow diagnoses. But hey, at least now we know there is a genetic test we cannot afford. Now that's progress.