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Effects of infertility, pregnancy loss, and patient concerns on family size of women with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Clowse, MEB; Chakravarty, E; Costenbader, KH; Chambers, C; Michaud, K
Published in: Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken)
May 2012

OBJECTIVE: Women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have fewer children on average than other women. We sought to determine the roles of infertility, pregnancy loss, and personal choice on family size in women with these diseases. METHODS: A reproductive history questionnaire was completed by women with RA and SLE participating in a longitudinal observational study. Within each disease cohort, participants were divided into 3 groups: those interested in having children at symptom onset who had either fewer children than planned (group A) or the same number as planned (group B), and those no longer interested in having children at diagnosis (group C). RESULTS: Of the 578 RA and 114 SLE women surveyed, >60% were in group C. Of those interested in having children, 55% with RA and 64% with SLE had fewer children than originally planned. Among women with RA, group A had 1 less pregnancy, 1 less live birth, and an infertility rate 1.5 times higher than group B; the miscarriage rate was similar in both groups. Compared to SLE group B, SLE group A had a similar number of pregnancies, but a 3-fold higher rate of miscarriage and 1 less live birth. Concerns about child health and personal welfare were associated with a lower pregnancy rate. CONCLUSION: In this population, more than one-half of young women with RA or SLE had fewer biologic children than desired. While patient choice plays a role, infertility in RA patients and miscarriage in SLE patients are also important.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken)

DOI

EISSN

2151-4658

Publication Date

May 2012

Volume

64

Issue

5

Start / End Page

668 / 674

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Pregnancy
  • Patient Participation
  • Middle Aged
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Infertility, Female
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
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ICMJE
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Clowse, M. E. B., Chakravarty, E., Costenbader, K. H., Chambers, C., & Michaud, K. (2012). Effects of infertility, pregnancy loss, and patient concerns on family size of women with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), 64(5), 668–674. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.21593
Clowse, Megan E. B., Eliza Chakravarty, Karen H. Costenbader, Christina Chambers, and Kaleb Michaud. “Effects of infertility, pregnancy loss, and patient concerns on family size of women with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 64, no. 5 (May 2012): 668–74. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.21593.
Clowse MEB, Chakravarty E, Costenbader KH, Chambers C, Michaud K. Effects of infertility, pregnancy loss, and patient concerns on family size of women with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012 May;64(5):668–74.
Clowse, Megan E. B., et al. “Effects of infertility, pregnancy loss, and patient concerns on family size of women with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), vol. 64, no. 5, May 2012, pp. 668–74. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/acr.21593.
Clowse MEB, Chakravarty E, Costenbader KH, Chambers C, Michaud K. Effects of infertility, pregnancy loss, and patient concerns on family size of women with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012 May;64(5):668–674.
Journal cover image

Published In

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken)

DOI

EISSN

2151-4658

Publication Date

May 2012

Volume

64

Issue

5

Start / End Page

668 / 674

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Pregnancy
  • Patient Participation
  • Middle Aged
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Infertility, Female
  • Humans