The effect of biological treatment on female fertility: A cohort study of women with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis
Authors' conclusion
This large cohort study provides reassuring data regarding spontaneous and medicated fertility in patients exposed to biological medications.
Study context
- Population
- Women aged 18–40 years at diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or PsA; biological treatments included TNFi, anti-CD-20 monoclonal antibodies, IL blockers and T-cell inhibitors
- Participants
- 4,517 vs 1,415
- Exposure
- Women with RA vs patients with PsA exposed to biological drugs
- RAn = 4,517
- PsAn = 1,415reference
- Outcome
- Positive pregnancy test rate
Methodological detailselectronic health record database
- Electronic health record database
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Positive pregnancy test (beta hCG) rate
- Both groups had lower rates of positive beta hCG after diagnosis vs baseline rates before diagnosis
- Exposure to biological treatment did not negatively affect the likelihood of conception in either group
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
Mean age at initiation of biological treatments · not statistically different
P = 0.729
Mean
| Outcome | RA | PsA | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean age at diagnosisNot statistically different | 30.7 (SD 6.3) | 30.9 (SD 6) | P = 0.260 |
Beta hCG testing after initiation of biological treatments
- Increased in RA
- P < 0.01
- Increased in PsA
- P = 0.07
Use of fertility medications
- Before diagnosis: about 8 % in both groups
- P > 0.5
- After diagnosis, before exposure: ≈4 % in both groups, then recovered to baseline values
- P > 0.5
Post-exposure in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate vs pretreatment
- Lower in RA than pretreatment
- P < 0.01
- Not significantly different in PsA
Original publication
The effect of biological treatment on female fertility: A cohort study of women with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 20 December 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →