Preconception Obstetrics and Rheumatology Consultation: A Protective Factor Against Spontaneous Abortion in Women With Autoimmune Rheumatic Disorders

BACKGROUND Autoimmune rheumatic disorders are a group of illnesses that significantly affect pregnancy outcomes. AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of spontaneous abortion and its association with maternal medical care in women with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. METHODS In this medical record review study, we recruited patients who were referred to our clinic from September 2014 to September 2019. All confirmed pregnancies (based on a positive pregnancy test and sonogram) were included. Binary logistic regression was applied to construct the statistical model. FINDINGS The present study involved 97 women (215 total confirmed pregnancies) who were diagnosed with 7 different autoimmune rheumatic disorders. The rate of spontaneous abortion was 28.8%. In the univariate analysis, the preconception obstetrics and rheumatology consultation were negatively associated with spontaneous abortion (p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 0.255; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.136-0.480; and p < 0.001; OR, 0.042; 95% CI, 0.015-0.122, respectively). Perinatal obstetric care had a significant protective effect (p < 0.001; OR, 0.260; 95% CI, 0.139-0.486). The multivariate analysis showed that the preconception rheumatology consultation (p = 0.003; OR, 0.062; 95% CI, 0.010-0.393) was negatively associated with spontaneous abortions. The presence of active diseases before pregnancy (p = 0.005; OR, 9.978; 95% CI, 2.023-49.223), anti-SSA/Ro (p < 0.001; OR, 22.927; 95% CI, 4.921-106.818), and anticardiolipin IgM (p = 0.004; OR, 298.207; 95% CI, 6.209-14,323.037) were associated with a heightened risk of spontaneous abortion. CONCLUSIONS A collaborative work carried out by maternal-fetal medicine specialists and rheumatologists could remarkably improve pregnancy outcomes.