Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Therapy: A...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disorder that can affect fertility.
• Investigating pregnancy outcomes in infertile patients with pSS undergoing assisted reproductive therapy (ART) is crucial for reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate pregnancy outcomes in infertile patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) who underwent assisted reproductive therapy (ART).
• To compare pregnancy outcomes between pSS patients with ART, pSS patients with natural pregnancy, and healthy individuals with ART.

Main Methods:

• A multi-center retrospective study analyzed data from 2013 to 2022.
• Included were pregnant women with pSS undergoing ART, pSS patients with natural pregnancies, and healthy individuals undergoing ART.
• Pregnancy outcomes were collected and compared across the groups.

Main Results:

• ART resulted in a 93.1% live birth rate in pSS patients.
• The leading maternal adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) in pSS patients with ART was premature delivery (45.8%).
• Offspring from pSS mothers with ART had lower birthweights but comparable rates of low birthweight (LBW) and no congenital heart block (CHB) incidence.

Conclusions:

• Assisted reproductive therapy (ART) is an effective treatment for infertility in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients.
• Premature delivery is the primary maternal adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) in this cohort.
• Fetal adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) are not increased, but birthweight is reduced in offspring of pSS mothers undergoing ART.