Impact of inflammatory bowel disease on women's reproductive life: a questionnaire-based study.

Background

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) have a peak incidence between the second and fourth decades of life and can affect women's reproductive life.

Objectives

Our study aimed to assess the impact of IBD on the reproductive life of female patients with this condition.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

Women with IBD followed at our IBD Unit and a group of healthy controls were enrolled. Data on reproductive life were collected using a dedicated questionnaire.

Results

The study included 457 women, of whom 228 had IBD, and 229 age-matched healthy controls. No differences were found in the use of contraceptives, infertility, and endometriosis. The risk of spontaneous and voluntary abortions was significantly higher in IBD patients than in healthy controls [odds ratio (OR) 2 and 3.62, respectively]. The risk of obstetrical complications in the IBD population was more than six times higher in patients who experienced disease reactivations during pregnancy than in those with persistent remission [OR 6.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51-31.28]. Finally, we found that the chances of breastfeeding were 66% lower in patients with IBD than in controls (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22-0.91).

Conclusion

Our study underlines the negative impact of IBD on women's reproductive life, supporting the need for proactive preconception counseling.

Reproductive life in IBD women Summarise the established knowledge on this subject Most women with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases are affected during their reproductive years.Women with IBD have fear, uncertainty, and poor knowledge of how the disease can impact their reproductive life. What are the significant and/or new findings of this study?Higher prevalence of abortions in women with IBD.Confirmed adverse pregnancy outcomes in the case of IBD activity.A lower chance of breastfeeding in women with IBD.Pro-active counselling is needed, which start from the moment of conception choice, with correct management of the pathology.

Informations de copyright

© The Author(s), 2024.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The Associate Editor of Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology, Edoardo Vincenzo Savarino, is an author of this paper, therefore, the peer review process was managed by alternative members of the Board and the submitting Editor was not involved in the decision-making process. AB (Alessandro Borsato), DM (Daria Maniero), FDL (Francesco della Loggia), GL (Greta Lorenzon), AZ (Annalisa Zanini) and CC (Cristina Canova) have nothing to declare. FZ (Fabiana Zingone) has served as a speaker for EG Stada Group, Fresenius Kabi, Janssen, Pfizer, Takeda, Unifarco, Malesci, Kedrion, Abbvie; has served as a consultant for Galapagos and Takeda BB (Brigida Barberio) has served as speaker for Alfasigma, Janssen, MSD, Procise, Sofar, Takeda; has served as a consultant for Doxapharma, EVS (Edoardo Vincenzo Savarino) has served as speaker for Abbvie, AGPharma, Alfasigma, Dr. Falk, EG Stada Group, Fresenius Kabi, Grifols, Janssen, Innovamedica, Malesci, Pfizer, Reckitt Benckiser, Sandoz, SILA, Sofar, Takeda, Unifarco; EVS has served as a consultant for Alfasigma, Amgen, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Diadema Farmaceutici, Dr. Falk, Fresenius Kabi, Janssen, Merck & Co, Reckitt Benckiser, Regeneron, Sanofi, Shire, SILA, Sofar, Synformulas GmbH, Takeda, Unifarco; EVS received research support from Pfizer, Reckitt Benckiser, SILA, Sofar, Unifarco.