What causes Hughes Syndrome?
The exact cause is unknown, but it is likely to be a combination of factors which, in general, contribute to the likelihood of having a thrombosis. These include smoking, immobility (related for instance to the thrombosis seen after long flights) and the contraceptive pill. There is a tendency for the disease to run in families and there may be a family history of clots, of miscarriages, or of other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and thyroid problems. A person’s genetic make-up and exposure to certain trigger factors may provide the right environment in which Hughes Syndrome can develop. Occasionally the thrombosis occurs during an infection such as a sore throat. However, in the some people the thrombosis comes ‘out of the blue’ and past medical history (e.g. migraine, recurrent miscarriages) helps to make the diagnosis of Hughes Syndrome.
