Anna Tournier1, Marlène Murris2, Anne Prevotat3, Annlyse Fanton4, Célia Bettiol1, Jean Parinaud5. 1. Department of Reproductive Medicine, Toulouse University Hospital, France. 2. Cystic Fibrosis Resource and Competence Centre for Adults, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Toulouse University Hospital, France. 3. Cystic Fibrosis Resource and Competence Centre for Adults, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Lille University Hospital, France. 4. Cystic Fibrosis Resource and Competence Centre for Adults, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dijon University Hospital, France. 5. Department of Reproductive Medicine, Toulouse University Hospital, France; Groupe de Recherche en Fertilité Humaine EA 3694, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. Electronic address: parinaud.j@chu-toulouse.fr.
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION: Although the impact of cystic fibrosis on male fertility is well known, very few studies have investigated its effect on female fertility. This study aimed to evaluate the fertility status of women with cystic fibrosis. DESIGN: A questionnaire was sent to 220 women with cystic fibrosis. The questions concerned their desire to become a parent, achievement or not of a pregnancy, the time to become pregnant, the means of achieving pregnancy (spontaneously or with medical assistance) and the outcome of the pregnancy. Ninety-eight patients responded to the questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 46 women who sought pregnancy, 25 (54%) had at least one live birth without treatment, while 11 (24%) required infertility treatment to obtain a live birth and 10 (22%) had no delivery. The mean time-to-pregnancy was 12 months (1-180). The reasons for preferring not to become pregnant were mainly fear of the interaction between cystic fibrosis and pregnancy and of the transmission of cystic fibrosis to children. CONCLUSIONS: Fertility seems to be slightly impaired in women with cystic fibrosis, because 37% of them failed to become pregnant without medical assistance. Because the outcome of pregnancies appears normal, patients should be informed about the possibility of becoming mothers and be made aware of the risk of unwanted pregnancies.
RESEARCH QUESTION: Although the impact of cystic fibrosis on male fertility is well known, very few studies have investigated its effect on female fertility. This study aimed to evaluate the fertility status of women with cystic fibrosis. DESIGN: A questionnaire was sent to 220 women with cystic fibrosis. The questions concerned their desire to become a parent, achievement or not of a pregnancy, the time to become pregnant, the means of achieving pregnancy (spontaneously or with medical assistance) and the outcome of the pregnancy. Ninety-eight patients responded to the questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 46 women who sought pregnancy, 25 (54%) had at least one live birth without treatment, while 11 (24%) required infertility treatment to obtain a live birth and 10 (22%) had no delivery. The mean time-to-pregnancy was 12 months (1-180). The reasons for preferring not to become pregnant were mainly fear of the interaction between cystic fibrosis and pregnancy and of the transmission of cystic fibrosis to children. CONCLUSIONS: Fertility seems to be slightly impaired in women with cystic fibrosis, because 37% of them failed to become pregnant without medical assistance. Because the outcome of pregnancies appears normal, patients should be informed about the possibility of becoming mothers and be made aware of the risk of unwanted pregnancies.
Authors: Kate E O'Connor; Dana L Goodwin; Andrew NeSmith; Bryan Garcia; Christina Mingora; Sigrid L Ladores; Steve M Rowe; Stefanie Krick; George M Solomon Journal: J Cyst Fibros Date: 2021-01-19 Impact factor: 5.527