RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Really Improve During Pregnancy? A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP jrheum.180226
DO 10.3899/jrheum.180226
A1 Jethwa, Hannah
A1 Lam, Suzanne
A1 Smith, Colette
A1 Giles, Ian
YR 2018
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2018/10/25/jrheum.180226.abstract
AB Objective We performed a systematic review and metaanalysis to assess rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity during pregnancy using objective disease activity scoring systems. Methods A systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE/Medline, Cochrane, and LactMed databases was performed. Our inclusion criteria for analysis were prospective studies, more than 5 patients per study, and data on RA using an objective scoring system conducted by a clinician/health professional. Results Ten studies were eligible for final analysis, which included 237 patients, of which prepartum data were available for 204 patients. Postpartum disease activity was recorded in 135 pregnancies. Conclusion Disease activity improved in 60% of patients with RA in pregnancy and flared in 46.7% postpartum.