A comprehensive guide for managing the reproductive health of patients with vasculitis.
Catherine A SimsMegan E B ClowsePublished in: Nature reviews. Rheumatology (2022)
Vasculitides and their therapies affect all areas of the reproductive life cycle. The ACR, EULAR and the Drugs and Lactation database offer guidance on the management of the reproductive health of patients with rheumatic diseases; however, these guidelines do not address patients with vasculitis specifically. This Review discusses the guidance from multiple expert panels and how these recommendations might apply to men and women with vasculitis, including the safety of contraception, use of assisted reproductive technology, preservation of fertility during cyclophosphamide therapy, disease management in pregnancy and the use of medications compatible with pregnancy and lactation. These discussions are augmented by the existing literature on vasculitis in pregnancy to enable physicians to provide comprehensive, precise and high quality care to patients with vasculitis. The contents of this Review, in conjunction with educational tools, serve to empower patients and physicians to participate in shared decision-making regarding pregnancy prevention, planning and management.
Keyphrases
- preterm birth
- pregnancy outcomes
- primary care
- end stage renal disease
- clinical practice
- healthcare
- systematic review
- life cycle
- human milk
- chronic kidney disease
- palliative care
- peritoneal dialysis
- dairy cows
- pregnant women
- high dose
- low birth weight
- preterm infants
- young adults
- quality improvement
- middle aged
- cell therapy
- bone marrow
- patient reported outcomes
- virtual reality
- chemotherapy induced