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Am J Perinatol 2014; 31(01): 009-014
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1333666
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

High Rate of Preterm Birth in Pregnancies Complicated by Rheumatoid Arthritis

Elizabeth S. Langen
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
,
Eliza F. Chakravarty
2   Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
,
Maryam Liaquat
3   Medical School, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
,
Yasser Y. El-Sayed
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
,
Maurice L. Druzin
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

10 July 2012

28 November 2012

Publication Date:
28 January 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Objective To describe the outcomes of pregnancies complicated by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to estimate potential associations between disease characteristics and pregnancy outcomes.

Study Design We reviewed all pregnancies complicated by RA delivered at our institution from June 2001 through June 2009. Fisher exact tests were used to calculate odds ratios. Univariable regression was performed using STATA 10.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX). A p value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results Forty-six pregnancies in 40 women were reviewed. Sixty percent of pregnancies had evidence of disease flare and 28% delivered prior to 37 weeks. We did not identify associations between preterm birth and active disease at conception or during pregnancy. In univariate analysis, discontinuation of medication because of pregnancy was associated with a significantly earlier gestational age at delivery (362/7 versus 383/7 weeks, p = 0.022).

Conclusion Women with RA may be at higher risk for preterm delivery.

Keywords

pregnancy - rheumatoid arthritis - preterm birth - medication use in pregnancy
 

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