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Lazzaroni MG, Crisafulli F, Moschetti L, Semeraro P, Cunha AR, Neto A, Lojacono A, Ramazzotto F, Zanardini C, Zatti S, Airò P, Tincani A, Franceschini F, Andreoli L. Reproductive Issues and Pregnancy Implications in Systemic Sclerosis. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2022; 64:321-342. [PMID: 35040084 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-021-08910-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease that can influence reproductive health. SSc has a strong female predominance, and the disease onset can occur during fertility age in almost 50% of patients. Preconception counseling, adjustment of treatment, and close surveillance during pregnancy by a multidisciplinary team, are key points to minimize fetal and maternal risks and favor successful pregnancy outcomes. The rates of spontaneous pregnancy losses are comparable to those of the general obstetric population, except for patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc and severe internal organ involvement who may carry a higher risk of abortion. Preterm birth can frequently occur in women with SSc, as it happens in other rheumatic diseases. Overall disease activity generally remains stable during pregnancy, but particular attention should be paid to women with major organ disease, such as renal and cardiopulmonary involvement. Women with such severe involvement should be thoroughly informed about the risks during pregnancy and possibly discouraged from getting pregnant. A high frequency of sexual dysfunction has been described among SSc patients, both in females and in males, and pathogenic mechanisms of SSc may play a fundamental role in determining this impairment. Fertility is overall normal in SSc women, while no studies in the literature have investigated fertility in SSc male patients. Nevertheless, some considerations regarding the impact of some immunosuppressive drugs should be done with male patients, referring to the knowledge gained in other rheumatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Grazia Lazzaroni
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Crisafulli
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Liala Moschetti
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Semeraro
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Ana-Rita Cunha
- Rheumatology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Agna Neto
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Central do Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Andrea Lojacono
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, ASST Garda Ospedale of Desenzano, Desenzano del Garda, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Zanardini
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sonia Zatti
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Airò
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Angela Tincani
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Franco Franceschini
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Andreoli
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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Chakravarty EF. Vascular Complications of Systemic Sclerosis during Pregnancy. Int J Rheumatol 2010; 2010:287248. [PMID: 20814538 DOI: 10.1155/2010/287248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2010] [Accepted: 07/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by progressive fibrosis of the skin and visceral tissues as well as a noninflammatory vasculopathy. Vascular disease in systemic sclerosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among nonpregnant patients with SSc and is even a bigger concern in the pregnant SSc patient, as the underlying vasculopathy may prevent the required hemodynamic changes necessary to support a growing pregnancy. Vascular manifestations including scleroderma renal crisis and pulmonary arterial hypertension should be considered relative contraindications against pregnancy due to the high associations of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. In contrast, Raynaud's phenomenon may actually improve somewhat during pregnancy. Women with SSc who are considering a pregnancy or discover they are pregnant require evaluation for the presence and extent of underlying vasculopathy. In the absence of significant visceral vasculopathy, most women with SSc can expect to have reasonable pregnancy outcomes.
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