Impact on Fertility After Failure of Restorative Proctocolectomy in Men and Women With Ulcerative Colitis: A 17-Year Cohort Study

Fertility after pouch surgery in women with ulcerative colitis: Is robotic surgery the key to better outcomes?

Fertility preservation is a major concern for women with ulcerative colitis who require surgical treatment. Previous studies have shown that the risk of infertility after restorative proctocolectomy is approximately four times higher. However, this risk appears to be lower in patients who undergo minimally invasive approaches, such as laparoscopic surgery. The benefits of laparoscopy have led to a debate on whether robotic-assisted surgery could offer better results in terms of fertility. Surgical robotic platforms can provide improved visualization of the pelvis and more precise dissection of anatomical structures. In theory, this could reduce tissue damage and the inflammatory response, leading to lower adhesion formation and fallopian tube blockage, thereby preserving fertility.

Does an Ileoanal Anastomosis Decrease the Rate of Successful Pregnancy Compared With an Ileorectal Anastomosis? A National Study of 1491 Patients

OBJECTIVE

Report the rate of successful pregnancy in a national cohort of women with either an ileal pouch anal (IPAA) or ileorectal (IRA) anastomosis constructed after colectomy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or polyposis.

BACKGROUND

Fertility after IPAA is probably impaired. All available data are corroborated by only small sample size studies. It is not known whether construction of IPAA versus IRA influences the odds of subsequently achieving a successful pregnancy, especially with increased utilization of the laparoscopic approach.

METHODS

All women (age: 12-45 y) undergoing IRA or IPAA in France for polyposis or IBD, between 2010-2020, were included. A control population was defined as women aged from 12 to 45 years undergoing laparoscopic appendicectomy during the same period. The odds of successful pregnancy were studied using an adjusted survival analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1491 women (IPAA=872, 58%; IRA=619, 42%) were included. A total of 220 deliveries (15%) occurred during the follow-up period of 71 months (39-100). After adjustment, the odds of successful pregnancy was not significantly associated with type of anastomosis (after IPAA: Hazard Ratio [HR]=0.79, 95% confidence interval=0.56-1.11, P =0.17). The laparoscopic approach increased the odds of achieving successful pregnancy (HR=1.79, 95% confidence interval=1.20-2.63, P =0.004). IRA and IPAA significantly impacted fertility when compared with the control population ( P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort study, total colectomy for polyposis or IBD was associated with reduced fertility compared with the general population. No difference in odds of achieving successful pregnancy was found between IRA and IPAA after adjustment. This analysis suggests laparoscopic surgery may be associated with greater likelihood of pregnancy.

Australian inflammatory bowel disease consensus statements for preconception, pregnancy and breast feeding

OBJECTIVE

Because pregnancy outcomes tend to be worse in women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than in those without, we aimed to update consensus statements that guide the clinical management of pregnancy in patients with IBD.

DESIGN

A multidisciplinary working group was established to formulate these consensus statements. A modified RAND/UCLA appropriateness method was used, consisting of a literature review, online voting, discussion meeting and a second round of voting. The overall agreement among the delegates and appropriateness of the statement are reported.

RESULTS

Agreement was reached for 38/39 statements which provide guidance on management of pregnancy in patients with IBD. Most medications can and should be continued throughout pregnancy, except for methotrexate, allopurinol and new small molecules, such as tofacitinib. Due to limited data, no conclusion was reached on the use of tioguanine during pregnancy. Achieving and maintaining IBD remission before conception and throughout pregnancy is crucial to optimise maternofetal outcomes. This requires a multidisciplinary approach to engage patients, allay anxieties and maximise adherence tomedication. Intestinal ultrasound can be used for disease monitoring during pregnancy, and flexible sigmoidoscopy or MRI where clinically necessary.

CONCLUSION

These consensus statements provide up-to-date, comprehensive recommendations for the management of pregnancy in patients with IBD. This will enable a high standard of care for patients with IBD across all clinical settings.

Fertility and assisted reproductive technologies outcomes of women with non-surgically managed inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review

BACKGROUND AND AIM

In view of their frequent onset during childbearing years, the impact of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) on reproductive health is of important concern to young women and to the IBD physician. This study aims to assess the fertility and assisted reproductive technologies outcomes in non-surgically treated IBD female.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, SCOPUS and EMBASE (until March 2022) to identify studies assessing fertility and assisted reproductive technologies outcomes in women with non-operated IBD, compared to non-IBD patients. Two reviewers independently selected studies, assessed risk of bias and extracted study data.

RESULTS

A total of 14 studies encompassing 18 012 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 14 353 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) were included for analysis. The fertility rate in UC patients and in the general population was comparable, but UC patients tended to have fewer children, mainly by choice. On the contrary, the fertility of CD patients appeared to be reduced. Although a deliberate component cannot be not excluded, the disease itself could affect fertility. Disease activity was associated with reduced fertility in both UC and CD patients. In CD, the colonic involvement of the disease and perianal damage could be associated with subfertility, but data are less consistent. According to the only study reporting the assisted reproductive technologies outcomes, pregnancy rates after in vitro fertilization in subfertile non-operated UC patients and non-IBD patients were similar.

CONCLUSION

There is low-quality evidence from observational studies that patients with CD and relapsing UC may have impaired fertility. After assisted reproductive technologies, pregnancy rates of subfertile nonoperated UC patients were similar to those of the general population, although this observation requires further scrutiny in larger studies that should include UC and CD patients.

Gastroenterology team members' knowledge and practices with fertility therapy for women with inflammatory bowel disease

INTRODUCTION

Fecundity may be reduced in women with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or prior IBD-related surgery, and these women may require assisted reproductive technology (ART). There are no guidelines for women with IBD to outline referral criteria for ART.

METHODS

We performed a prospective, multicentre, international questionnaire of gastroenterologists, gastroenterology trainees, and IBD nurses. The primary outcome was to establish clinical practices and fertility therapy referral patterns among gastroenterology team members. We hypothesised that the lack of knowledge and awareness may delay or prevent initiation of fertility consultation referrals.

DISCUSSION

Of 182 participants, most had never initiated a referral for fertility therapy (69.8%), and of respondents who do initiate referrals, 50% wait until the patient has been unsuccessfully attempting conception for 12 months. Participants were significantly more likely to initiate a fertility therapy referral if they believed ART was effective (p = 0.038), not impeded by IBD-related surgery (p = 0.053), and if they had access to a dedicated IBD-pregnancy clinic (p = 0.027). Superior pregnancy knowledge was predictive of a greater likelihood of fertility therapy referrals (p = 0.037). All participants thought they had inadequate knowledge about ART in IBD, and 96.2% expressed desire to improve their knowledge.

CONCLUSION

Gastroenterology team members infrequently initiate referrals for fertility therapy consultation in women with IBD, increasing their risk of remaining childless. Implementation of dedicated IBD pregnancy clinics and targeted education programmes to increase awareness of ART in women with IBD might increase referral rates and reduce infertility.

Assisted Reproductive Technology in Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Infertility may occur in women with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), especially after surgery such as ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Assisted reproductive technology (ART) may be an option, but the safety and efficacy in this setting has been based on small cohorts to date. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to address this data gap.

METHODS

A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis was performed until May 2020. The primary outcomes were pregnancy and live birth rates per cycle of ART.

RESULTS

Eleven studies met inclusion criteria for the systematic review and 4 for the meta-analysis. Compared with the general population, women with CD (with and without previous surgery) had no difference in pregnancy rates (odds ratio [OR] = 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45-1.05) but had reduced live births (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.53-0.85) per cycle of ART. ART live birth rates are not reduced in women with medically managed CD; however, they are 49%-71% lower after CD-related surgery. Women with UC had no difference in both pregnancy rates (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.63-1.55) and live birth rates (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.67-1.17); however, live birth rates were reduced after IPAA failure (hazard ratio = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.14-0.92). Two studies did not identify any significant safety signals.

DISCUSSION

ART is safe and effective in patients with UC and medically managed CD, with pregnancy and live birth rates similar to that of the general population. However, within the limitations of the available literature, current data suggest that efficacy is reduced in women with CD-related surgery and IPAA failure. Greater gastroenterologist awareness of ART is needed to facilitate timely fertility therapy referral when indicated, particularly in CD.

Review of pregnancy in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently affects women of childbearing age and can have implications in pregnancy. Most women with IBD have comparable fertility with women in the general population. Fertility is reduced in women with active disease or previous ileal-pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgery and is temporarily reduced in men taking sulfasalazine. Women with IBD have an increased risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, small-for-gestational-age infants and Cesarean section (CS) delivery, however, no increased risk of congenital abnormalities. These adverse outcomes are particularly prevalent for women with active IBD compared with those with quiescent disease. Conception should occur during disease remission to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes and reduce the risk of disease exacerbations during pregnancy. Pre-conception counseling is therefore pertinent to provide patient education, medication review for risk of teratogenicity and objective disease assessment. Most medications are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with the exception of methotrexate, ciclosporin, allopurinol and tofacitinib. Delivery modality should be guided by obstetric factors in most cases; however, CS is recommended for women with active perianal disease and can be considered for women with inactive perianal disease or IPAA. In conclusion, most women with IBD have uncomplicated pregnancies. Active IBD is the predominant predictor of poor outcomes and disease exacerbations; therefore, maintenance of disease remission during and before pregnancy is crucial.