Eight articles focus on pregnancy challenges for patients with rheumatic diseases

Challenges to successful pregnancy outcomes arise for some patients with rheumatic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and antiphospholipid syndrome.

Recent articles on Healio.com Rheumatology outline research into the prevalence of successful pregnancy outcomes for patients with rheumatic diseases and tools for physicians and patients to aid in decision-making.

Certain biomarkers may predict pregnancy complications in women with SLE

Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and certain serum biomarkers during pregnancy may be more likely to have adverse pregnancy outcomes, according to researchers. Read more.

Pregnant women with aPL antibodies may benefit from hydroxychloroquine

Women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) or positive antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies who became pregnant while receiving hydroxychloroquine for at least 6 months were more likely to have positive pregnancy outcomes compared with patients who did not receive hydroxychloroquine, according to analysis of data. Read more.

Large proportion of pregnancies in women with SLE are uncomplicated

A large proportion of childbirths to patients with SLE occurred without complications, and outcomes were not related to anti-dsDNA antibodies, according to research published in The Annals of Internal Medicine. Read more.

Pregnancy risks to patients with RA treated with biologics may be comparable to other patients with RA

The risk for pregnancy complications to patients with RA treated with biologic agents may be comparable to other patients with RA, according to the results of a study. Read more.

Decision aid may help women with RA make family planning choices

A new motherhood decision aid designed for women with RA may help to inform women in making choices about conception, pregnancy and parenting in the context of the disease and treatment, according to a report. Read more.

Patients with APS, triple aPL positivity at higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes

Patients with APS who had triple aPL antibody positivity were more likely to experience an adverse outcome in pregnancy, according to a study. Read more.

No added risks observed in limited sample with use of biologics during pregnancy

In a limited study of pregnant women with RA, no increased risk of malformations, deaths or other complications were observed in pregnancy outcomes following the use of biological therapies at the time of conception, according to data presented at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology. Read more.

High RA disease activity linked to preterm delivery, low birth weight

Pregnant women with high RA disease activity in early pregnancy were more likely to have a preterm delivery or a child who was small for gestational age, according to study findings. Read more.