Abolfazl Fattah1, Amirhooman Asadi2, Mohammad Reza Hooshangi Shayesteh3, Forough Hatefi Hesari4, Sirous Jamalzehi5, Mojtaba Abbasi6,7, Mohammad Javad Mousavi8,9, Saeed Aslani10. 1. Research Center for Health Sciences and Technologies, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. 2. Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran. 3. Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University East Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran. 5. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran. 6. Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran. 7. Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran. 8. Department of Hematology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran. sm-mousavi@razi.tums.ac.ir. 9. Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. sm-mousavi@razi.tums.ac.ir. 10. Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. s-aslani@razi.tums.ac.ir.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A bulk of investigations imply that women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) deliver fewer children in comparison to healthy women. PURPOSE: This review article attempts to clarify the involvement of infertility-related issues in both RA men and women. Moreover, the effect of RA disease on the fertility quality and quantity will be discussed. RESULTS: Declined fertility rate in RA women seems to stem from modified inflammatory settings, advanced maternal age, limited sexual activity, and adverse effects of drugs on ovarian function. Women with RA may have smaller families and seem to be slower to conceive relative to their peer women. The chance of gestation in RA women may drop due to suppressed sexual function through pain and fatigue. In addition, treatment of RA women with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may prevent ovulation and therefore hinder the conception. CONCLUSIONS: A complex interaction between RA disease and fertility related issues is present. Despite an increase rate of infertility in RA females or males, the mechanisms involved in this outcome is still unknown. Plausible causes of the decreased fertility rate in RA patients might be due to inflammatory cytokines, suppressed sexual activity, drug treatments, mother age, personal choice, or a combination of these elements.
BACKGROUND: A bulk of investigations imply that women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) deliver fewer children in comparison to healthy women. PURPOSE: This review article attempts to clarify the involvement of infertility-related issues in both RAmen and women. Moreover, the effect of RA disease on the fertility quality and quantity will be discussed. RESULTS: Declined fertility rate in RAwomen seems to stem from modified inflammatory settings, advanced maternal age, limited sexual activity, and adverse effects of drugs on ovarian function. Women with RA may have smaller families and seem to be slower to conceive relative to their peer women. The chance of gestation in RAwomen may drop due to suppressed sexual function through pain and fatigue. In addition, treatment of RAwomen with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may prevent ovulation and therefore hinder the conception. CONCLUSIONS: A complex interaction between RA disease and fertility related issues is present. Despite an increase rate of infertility in RA females or males, the mechanisms involved in this outcome is still unknown. Plausible causes of the decreased fertility rate in RApatients might be due to inflammatory cytokines, suppressed sexual activity, drug treatments, mother age, personal choice, or a combination of these elements.