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Fertility and Ovarian Reserve among Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Amanda M Eudy1,2, Gary McDaniel3,4, William W Hurd3,4
1From the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center; Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA. amanda.eudy@duke.edu.
The Journal of Rheumatology
|November 17, 2018
Summary
Women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showed lower anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. However, the specific causes of infertility in these women remain largely unexplained, despite similar infertility rates compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease.
- Infertility is a concern for women of reproductive age.
- The impact of RA on female fertility is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes of infertility in women with RA.
- To compare fertility parameters between women with and without RA.
- To assess the role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and anovulation in RA-associated infertility.
Main Methods:
- Matched case-control study design.
- Comparison of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels.
- Analysis of anovulation rates.
- Infertility prevalence assessment.
Main Results:
- Women with RA exhibited lower AMH levels (β -1.05).
- No significant difference in anovulation was detected between groups.
- Infertility prevalence was similar, but causes differed: PCOS in controls, unexplained in RA patients.
Conclusions:
- Lower AMH suggests potential ovarian reserve impact in RA.
- The primary drivers of infertility in women with RA are largely unidentified.
- Further research is needed to elucidate RA's specific effects on female fertility.
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