Research ArticleArticle
Fertility and Ovarian Reserve among Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Amanda M. Eudy, Gary McDaniel, William W. Hurd and Megan E.B. Clowse
The Journal of Rheumatology November 2018, jrheum.180176; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.180176
Amanda M. Eudy
From the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center; Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA. Pfizer Inc. provided the funding for this project through its ASPIRE award program for investigator-initiated studies. It had no say on the design or conduct of the research, and did not alter the manuscript. M.E. Clowse is a consultant for UCB regarding issues surrounding the use of certolizumab for RA in pregnancy. This work does not involve issues of infertility or AMH. A.M. Eudy, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center; G. McDaniel, PA-C, Clinical Research Coordinator, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center; W.W. Hurd, MD, MSc, MPH, Professor and Director, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center; M.E. Clowse, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center. Address correspondence to A.M. Eudy, Duke University Medical Center, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, DUMC 3490, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. E-mail: amanda.eudy@duke.edu. Accepted for publication August 10, 2018.
Gary McDaniel
From the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center; Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA. Pfizer Inc. provided the funding for this project through its ASPIRE award program for investigator-initiated studies. It had no say on the design or conduct of the research, and did not alter the manuscript. M.E. Clowse is a consultant for UCB regarding issues surrounding the use of certolizumab for RA in pregnancy. This work does not involve issues of infertility or AMH. A.M. Eudy, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center; G. McDaniel, PA-C, Clinical Research Coordinator, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center; W.W. Hurd, MD, MSc, MPH, Professor and Director, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center; M.E. Clowse, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center. Address correspondence to A.M. Eudy, Duke University Medical Center, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, DUMC 3490, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. E-mail: amanda.eudy@duke.edu. Accepted for publication August 10, 2018.
William W. Hurd
From the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center; Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA. Pfizer Inc. provided the funding for this project through its ASPIRE award program for investigator-initiated studies. It had no say on the design or conduct of the research, and did not alter the manuscript. M.E. Clowse is a consultant for UCB regarding issues surrounding the use of certolizumab for RA in pregnancy. This work does not involve issues of infertility or AMH. A.M. Eudy, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center; G. McDaniel, PA-C, Clinical Research Coordinator, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center; W.W. Hurd, MD, MSc, MPH, Professor and Director, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center; M.E. Clowse, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center. Address correspondence to A.M. Eudy, Duke University Medical Center, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, DUMC 3490, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. E-mail: amanda.eudy@duke.edu. Accepted for publication August 10, 2018.
Megan E.B. Clowse
From the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center; Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA. Pfizer Inc. provided the funding for this project through its ASPIRE award program for investigator-initiated studies. It had no say on the design or conduct of the research, and did not alter the manuscript. M.E. Clowse is a consultant for UCB regarding issues surrounding the use of certolizumab for RA in pregnancy. This work does not involve issues of infertility or AMH. A.M. Eudy, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center; G. McDaniel, PA-C, Clinical Research Coordinator, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center; W.W. Hurd, MD, MSc, MPH, Professor and Director, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center; M.E. Clowse, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center. Address correspondence to A.M. Eudy, Duke University Medical Center, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, DUMC 3490, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. E-mail: amanda.eudy@duke.edu. Accepted for publication August 10, 2018.
Abstract
Objective We sought to identify causes for infertility in women with and without rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods Women with RA were matched to healthy controls. Differences in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and anovulation were analyzed.
Results Women with RA had lower AMH (β –1.05, 95% CI –2.09 to –0.005), but no difference was observed when AMH was log-transformed. No difference in anovulation was observed. Infertility prevalence was similar between groups, primarily attributable to polycystic ovary syndrome in healthy controls but largely unexplained in women with RA.
Conclusion AMH was lower in women with RA, but reasons for infertility among women with RA remain unknown.
In this issue
The Journal of Rheumatology
Vol. 51, Issue 4
1 Apr 2024
Fertility and Ovarian Reserve among Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Amanda M. Eudy, Gary McDaniel, William W. Hurd, Megan E.B. Clowse
The Journal of Rheumatology Nov 2018, jrheum.180176; DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.180176