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The effect of newly diagnosed undifferentiated connective tissue disease on pregnancy outcome
Arsenio Spinillo1, Fausta Beneventi, Oscar M Epis
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate pregnancy outcome in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD).
Study Design:
We conducted a nested case-control study that compared 41 patients who had early UCTD that was diagnosed at 11-14 weeks of pregnancy with 82 healthy control subjects.
Results:
During pregnancy, UCTD progressed to a definite connective tissue disease in 2 of 41 patients (4.9%). Sixteen of the 41 patients (39%) with UCTD tested positive for anti-Ro (SSA) antibodies. Compared with the control subjects, the women with UCTD had higher rates of small for gestational age (SGA; 12/40 vs 11/80; P = .05). The rate of complications of pregnancy (preterm delivery at = 37 weeks of gestation, SGA, preeclampsia, late fetal loss) was 39% (16/41) among cases and 13.4% (11/82) in control subjects (adjusted odds ratio, 3.98; 95% CI, 1.59-9.49).
Conclusion:
Pregnant patients with UCTD are at increased risk of SGA and complications of pregnancy.
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