[Pregnancy outcomes before and after the onset of rheumatoid arthritis]

to compare the obstetric prognosis before and after the onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

a survey in RA women patients who become sexually active before disease onset, and who tried or got pregnant after diagnosis was performed. Obstetrical features such as: number of pregnancies, threat of abortion, abortion, early natal death, congenital abnormalities and preeclampsia-eclampsia syndrome, before and after RA onset were compared.

only 47 women were eligible (age: 40.5 ± 11.0 years; time of evolution: 15.9 ± 11.5 years; positive rheumatoid factor: 93.6 %) from 700 screened. After RA onset there were 63 gestations in 36 patients who got pregnant (secondary infertility rate: 21.3 %). A significant increase in frequency and number of cesarean deliveries, besides a higher number of pregnancies with preeclampsia, were found after RA onset. Additionally, four newborns with congenital anomalies were reported after the disease onset compared to none before RA onset.

compared to pre-RA obstetric events, a higher frequency and number of adverse outcomes was found in pregnancies that occurred after RA onset.