Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in female patients with infertility (according to I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University’s Registry)
Abstract. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common autoimmune disease that primarily affects females of reproductive age. In recent years, the risks of perinatal pathology in patients with SLE have been increasingly discussed.Griva A.I., Trofimov E.A., Trofimova A.S., Leineman Ya.A.
The aim: to assess the prevalence of SLE in females with infertility according to I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University’s Registry.
Material and methods. Retrospective analysis of 129 consultations of female patients aged 18–45 years with a history of reproductive problems and SLE symptoms. Patients with a previously established diagnosis of SLE or another immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID), as well as those with confirmed acute or recurrent chronic infectious disease, were excluded. The study consisted of two visits and laboratory testing (determination of antinuclear factor (ANF) titers and antibodies (AB) to extractable nuclear antigens.
Results. 129 female patients who met all inclusion/exclusion criteria were screened in the study. A total of 104 (81%) study subjects had a previous pregnancy. Spontaneous miscarriages were the most common obstetric pathology (49%). A positive ANF titer was observed in 84 patients (65%). A positive immunoblot result for extractable nuclear antibodies was observed in 16 patients (19%). The study identified 12 patients (18%) who were diagnosed with SLE.
Conclusion. The study identified 12 patients (18%) who were diagnosed with SLE basing on the 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria. The most common obstetric pathology was recurrent miscarriage (49%). Thus, the hypothesis that unexplained infertility and recurrent miscarriage may be a clinical manifestation of unverified IMID was confirmed. Therefore, females with unexplained infertility should be advised to consult a rheumatologist and undergo specific immunological testing to exclude IMID.
Keywords
systemic lupus erythematosus
obstetric pathology
antinuclear factor
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About the Authors
Arina I. Griva, MD, 2nd-year resident doctor-rheumatologist at the Department of therapy and rheumatology named after E.E. Eichwald, I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia. Address: 191015, Saint Petersburg, 41 Kirochnaya St.E-mail: griva.arina@yandex.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1098-1418. eLibrary SPIN: 1754-3550
Evgeny A. Trofimov, MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), professor, head of the Department of therapy and rheumatology named after E.E. Eichwald, I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia. Address: 191015, Saint Petersburg, 41 Kirochnaya St.
E-mail: evgeniy.trofimov@szgmu.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3236-4485. eLibrary SPIN: 4358-1663
Anna S. Trofimova, MD, PhD (Medicine), associate professor of the Department of therapy and rheumatology named after E.E. Eichwald, I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia. Address: 191015, Saint Petersburg, 41 Kirochnaya St.
E-mail: Anna.Trofimova@szgmu.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5926-7912. eLibrary SPIN: 6827-3934
Yana A. Leineman, MD, PhD (Medicine), associate professor of the Department of therapy and rheumatology named after E.E. Eichwald, I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia. Address: 191015, Saint Petersburg, 41 Kirochnaya St.
E-mail: Yana.Leineman@szgmu.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2538-8112. eLibrary SPIN: 4832-4133
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