[Hormonal status of the woman and its effect on symptoms and progression of chronic polyarthritis]

In a retrospective study 434 female patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (mean age at the onset of disease 45.7 +/- 13.3 years) were asked about information concerning number of deliveries, abortions, hormonal contraception or treatment respectively, and any changes of complaints during pregnancy, after deliveries or hormonal treatment. The effect of oral contraceptives on the progression of the disease was of particular interest. The present results show that the progression of RA is not influenced dramatically by the hormonal situation or hormonal treatment respectively. The worldwide opinion of female sex hormones regarding their influence on symptoms and progression of RA and the risk of developing RA are controversial. Positive and negative studies on the influence of hormonal situation or treatment respectively are depending very much on the individual study conditions. In order to find out more on the effects of hormones on RA, a prospective approach and much more data would be required. This is the reason why no study so far has shown unanimously acceptable results.