Trends in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases during pregnancy in the UK, 2000–21: a retrospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
The growing burden of autoimmune diseases in pregnancy calls for research into their impact on outcomes.
Study context
- Population
- Pregnancies among women of reproductive age (15–49 years), UK, Jan 1, 2000, to Dec 31, 2021; 17 autoimmune diseases
- Participants
- 2,831,472 women5,165,960 pregnancies
- Outcome
- Annual prevalence of 17 autoimmune diseases in pregnancy
Methodological detailspopulation-based, CPRD Gold and Aurum with pregnancy registers, logistic regression, Patient and public involvement and engagement representatives participated in formulating the research question
- Population-based
- CPRD Gold and Aurum with pregnancy registers
- Logistic regression
- Patient and public involvement and engagement representatives participated in formulating the research question
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Prevalence of the combination of 17 autoimmune diseases in pregnancy
Pregnancies with autoimmune disease, 2000
6058 (3.5%) of 172 430
Pregnancies with autoimmune disease, 2021
8429 (4.7%) of 181 532
Pregnancies in women with a coded autoimmune disease, 2000-21
185 208 pregnancies in 100 655 women
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Odds of autoimmune disease during pregnancy by women's characteristics
| aOR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Less deprived areas | 1.10 (1.07–1.14) | |
| 0.512Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
| Outcome | aOR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Odds of autoimmune disease during pregnancy by women's characteristicsBlack womenvs White women | 0.48 (0.45–0.51) | |
| Odds of autoimmune disease during pregnancy by women's characteristicsAsian womenvs White women | 0.81 (0.77–0.85) | |
| Odds of autoimmune disease during pregnancy by women's characteristicsEx-smokersvs Non-smokers | 1.20 (1.18–1.23) | |
| Odds of autoimmune disease during pregnancy by women's characteristicsFive or more pregnanciesvs Single pregnancy | 1.12 (1.10–1.15) | |
| 0.512Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
Odds of autoimmune disease during pregnancy by comorbidity
| aOR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type 2 diabetes | 1.41 (1.30–1.53) | |
| Hypertension | 1.07 (1.01–1.13) | |
| Anxiety | 1.15 (1.12–1.19) | |
| Depression | 1.17 (1.14–1.20) | |
| 0.512Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
Original publication
Trends in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases during pregnancy in the UK, 2000–21: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet Rheumatol. Published 2 June 2025. doi:10.
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