The conditions that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus should fulfill before pregnancy to optimize outcomes: a large-scale multicenter cohort study from China
摘要
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is frequently associated with a lower rate of live birth and a higher incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), and pregnancy can also increase the risk of SLE flares. Comprehensive preconception assessment is critical for improved pregnancy outcomes in patients with SLE. Unfortunately, no global consensus on the conditions that patients with SLE should fulfill prior to pregnancy has yet been formed.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the conditions that patients with SLE should fulfill before pregnancy to optimize outcomes.
Study designThis was a retrospective study utilizing data from a multicenter Chinese SLE cohort. Information on demographics, obstetric history, SLE activity, clinical manifestations, autoantibody profiles, laboratory parameters, therapeutics, and pregnancy outcomes was collected. Logistic regression was used to explore the optimal conditions.
ResultsThe study comprised 347 singleton pregnancies from 332 patients with SLE in total, with a mean maternal age at conception of 30.3 (SD 4.0) years. The analysis revealed that patients who were stable for at least 6 months, had no active vital organ involvement, were on nonfluorinated corticosteroids no more than the dose equivalent to prednisone 7.5 mg per day, and were on hydroxychloroquine displayed a significantly higher incidence of live birth (86.1% vs. 73.7%, p = 0.004) and a markedly decreased risk of APOs (29.4% vs. 52.1%, p < 0.001). Additionally, flares occurred less frequently during pregnancy (14.7% vs. 27.3%, p = 0.009), particularly for severe flares (5.8% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.011).
ConclusionThis study delineated the conditions that patients with SLE should fulfill before pregnancy, which provides better instructions for clinical practice.