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Objective. The objective of this study was to analyse an association between nailfold capillary abnormalities and the presence and severity of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with SSc. Methods. A cross-sectional analysis of the prospective European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Scleroderma Trial and Research database was performed. Men with SSc were included if they had undergone nailfold capillaroscopy and simultaneous ED assessment with the 5-item International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Results. Eighty-six men met the inclusion criteria. Eight men (9.3%) had not had sexual intercourse and could not be assigned an IIEF-5 score. Sixty-nine of the 78 men (88.5%) with an IIEF-5 score had nailfold capillary abnormalities, of whom 54 (78.3%) suffered from ED. Nine men (11.5%) had no nailfold capillary abnormalities, of whom six (66.7%) had ED (P = 0.44). ED was more frequent in older men (P = 0.002) and in men with diffuse disease (P = 0.06). Men with abnormal capillaroscopy had a higher median EULAR disease activity than men without (P = 0.02), a lower diffusing capacity of the lung (P = 0.001) and a higher modified Rodnan skin score (P = 0.04), but mean IIEF-5 scores did not differ [15.7 (S.D. 6.2) vs 15.7 (S.D. 6.3)]. IIEF-5 scores did not differ between men with early (n = 12), active (n = 27) or late (n = 27) patterns (IIEF-5 scores of 17.9, 16.3 and 14.7, respectively). There were no differences in the prevalence of early, active and late capillaroscopy patterns between men with or without ED. Conclusion. Neither the presence or absence of abnormal capillaroscopy findings nor the subdivision into early, active and late patterns is associated with coexistent ED in SSc.

Introduction AHSCT is increasing used to control severe and refractory autoimmune diseases (AD). Many patients (pts) are women of reproductive age with a potential desire for pregnancy, especially with control of AD. However, high dose cytotoxic therapy is associated with an age dependent risk of temporary or permanent ovarian and/or endometrial damage. Although childbirth has been sporadically reported after AHSCT for AD, the incidence, complications and outcomes of pregnancy in this group have never been characterised. We present the first multicenter retrospective analysis of pregnancy in patients who underwent AHSCT for AD. Patients and Methods The study was designed as a multicenter retrospective study of data registered in the EBMT database with supplementary information requested with a specific questionnaire sent to each centre. Inclusion criteria were: female pts aged >18 and 50 years receiving AHSCT for AD between 1994-2011. Over this time period 588 adult female patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were identified in the EBMT database and collaborating centres. Results Twenty-two pregnancies were reported in 15 pts between 1997-2010 2013, with 4 pts having 2 pregnancies, and one pt having 4 pregnancies, amounting to approximately 2% of total eligible registrations. Indications for AHSCT included multiple sclerosis (7 pts), systemic sclerosis (5 pts), rheumatoid Arthritis (1 pt), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (1 pt) and Takayasu disease (1 pt). All pts had received standard immunosuppressive +/- cytotoxic treatment for AD prior to mobilisation and AHSCT. The most common mobilization regimen was cyclophosphamide (2-4g/m2) and G-CSF. Conditioning for AHSCT was high dose cyclophosphamide (200mg/kg) in 7 pts, BEAM in 7 pts and one pt received BCNU (300mg/m2) with cyclophosphamide (150g/kg). Serotherapy was used in 10 patients (ATG in 9, ALG in 1). None received TBI. Of the 22 reported pregnancies, 20 were due to natural conception and 2 required assisted conception (two with in vitro fertilization). Fifteen pregnancies (68%) were successful, while seven (38%) were unsuccessful due to ectopic pregnancy (n=1), spontaneous abortion (n=4), and spontaneous fetal death (n=1). and induced abortion (n=1). Other serious adverse events included gestational diabetes mellitus (n=1), congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation (n=1) and pre-term labor (n=1). Five serious adverse events occurred during first pregnancies, and 2 during second pregnancies. Exacerbations of AD occurred in 2 pts during second pregnancies. In all other patients the AD remained stable throughout pregnancy and post-partum. No maternal mortality was associated with pregnancy or post-partum. The status of the AD at most recent follow up was reported as remission (5 pts), improvement (4 pts), stabilization (3 pts), progression (2 pts) and 1 death due to AD progression. There were no reports of congenital, developmental or any other disease in the children of these pregnancies. Discussion This retrospective analysis confirms that pregnancy is feasible in some pts following AHSCT for severe AD. The outcome of pregnancy is generally good and most lead to the birth of healthy children. It is unclear whether the reported rates of adverse obstetric events exceed that of the general population, but exacerbation of underlying autoimmune disorder is possible. In pts who have undergone AHSCT for AD who wish to plan a pregnancy, we recommend close interdisciplinary collaboration involving obstetricians and relevant AD specialists. However, the reported frequency of pregnancy was relatively rare, and we continue to recommend consideration of embryo or ovum cryopreservation prior to AHSCT as per current ADWP guidelines (Snowden et al BMT 2012;47:770-90) Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.