Adverse Impact of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Saudi Arabia Retrospective Multi-Center Study

The current study aimed to determine the pregnancy outcomes complications in patients with SLE and its association with clinical, laboratory variables, disease activity, and medication use in the Saudi population, as well as pregnancy effect on disease activity.

A multicenter study included pregnant female patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) from three tertiary centers in Saudi Arabia. The demographics, clinical, and laboratory variables, SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), medication before, during, and after pregnancy, planned pregnancy, pregnancy-related outcomes, and complications in comparison to age-matched healthy female controls were noted.

A total of 66 pregnant patients with SLE and 93 healthy age-matched pregnant controls were included in the study. A total of 77.3% had SLEDAI-2K ≤ 4 before conception, and 84.85% of pregnancies were planned. Age of conception, cesarean section, miscarriage, and low birth weight were statistically significant (p <0.05) higher in SLE patients than in healthy controls. Among all clinical and laboratory variables, SLEDAI-2K > 4 and active lupus nephritis during pregnancy were statistically associated with adverse outcomes (p <0.05), history of lupus nephritis was not associated with statistically adverse pregnancy outcomes. Higher SLEDAI-2K > 4 was an independent risk at least 4.87 times higher association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. (p <0.05).

SLE is intricately connected with unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. The preconception of high disease activity stands as a pivotal risk factor for adverse outcomes. Despite the disease remission and meticulous planning, SLE patients frequently grapple with disease exacerbations during pregnancy, culminating in unexpected and unfavorable pregnancy-related outcomes. This underscores the intricate and multifaceted nature of managing SLE during gestation.