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Perinatal factors and adult-onset lupus

Julia F Simard1, Elizabeth W Karlson, Karen H Costenbader

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Harvard University School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. julia.simard@post.harvard.edu

Arthritis and Rheumatism
|August 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

High birth weight and preterm birth are linked to a higher risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Breastfeeding, however, showed no significant association with SLE incidence in women.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Epidemiology
  • Perinatal Health

Background:

  • Perinatal factors like birth weight and breastfeeding may influence autoimmune diseases.
  • Limited research exists on these factors in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between birth weight, breastfeeding, preterm birth, and SLE incidence.
  • Utilizing data from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and NHSII.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 87,411 NHS and 98,413 NHSII participants.
  • Tracking 222 incident SLE cases over 26 (NHS) and 14 (NHSII) years.
  • Stratified Cox models and random-effects meta-analysis were employed.

Main Results:

  • High birth weight (>=10 pounds) showed a 2.7-fold increased rate of SLE.
  • Preterm birth (>=2 weeks) was associated with a 1.9-fold increased rate of SLE.
  • Breastfeeding did not demonstrate a significant association with SLE incidence (RR 0.8).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated birth weight and preterm birth are positively associated with incident SLE in women.
  • These perinatal factors represent potential risk indicators for SLE development.
Abstract

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