The "sticky platelet syndrome": thirty years after its identification in Mexico

Holiday described the sticky platelet syndrome (SPS) and since then, reports from different parts of the world have become available. Initial data on SPS was acquired from studies conducted on Caucasian populations, however, it is imperative to note that further investigations have been undertaken on diverse ethnic groups, such as the Mexican population, which have revealed the existence of certain variations and disparities in the manifestation and characteristics of this syndrome. The Mexican population is defined as "mestizo" and encompasses individuals born in Mexico but with Amerindian and white ancestors. The Mexican Genome Diversity Project (MGDP) showed that the genetic diversity generated by the "mestizaje" is most relevant for some pathologies, including autoimmune disease among others. In Mexico, SPS is the second most common hereditary thrombophilic condition and that most frequently associated with arterial thrombosis, followed by the antiphospholipid syndrome. The preferred therapeutic intervention for patients diagnosed with SPS lies in the administration of antiplatelet medications, as this particular course of action effectively rectifies the phenomenon of platelet hyperaggregability in approximately 75% of afflicted individuals, thus resulting in a notable reduction in the likelihood of rethrombosis to a rate that falls below the 4% threshold. In the last two decades, SPS has become the second most common cause of primary thrombophilia in the Mexican mestizo population, and it is manifested as an autosomal dominant disease, very frequently combined with other coagulopathies. The medical community needs to recognize SPS as a frequent cause of thrombophilia since once identified, its treatment is inexpensive and effective. We herein present data accrued over 32 years, on SPS in Mexico.