Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in a Cohort of Patients Exposed to Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors throughout Pregnancy

TNF-α inhibitor use during pregnancy and the risk of preeclampsia: population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Although the clinical importance of preeclampsia is widely recognized, few treatment options are available for prevention. TNF-α inhibitors have been hypothesized to potentially prevent the disease. We aimed to examine whether exposure to TNF-α inhibitors during pregnancy reduces the risk of preeclampsia.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based pregnancy cohort study using nationwide samples of publicly (Medicaid data, 2000-2018) and commercially (MarketScan Research Database, 2003-2020) insured pregnant women linked to their liveborn infants. Exposure was ascertained based on a filled prescription or administration code for TNF-α inhibitors during the first and second trimester of pregnancy. The outcomes included early-onset preeclampsia, late-onset preeclampsia, and small-for-gestational age. For baseline confounding adjustment, we leveraged propensity score overlap weights to estimate risk ratios (RR).

RESULTS

Among 4 315 658 pregnancies in the Medicaid and the MarketScan cohort, 2736 (0.063%) were exposed to TNF-α inhibitors during the first trimester and 1712 (0.040%) during the second trimester. After adjustment, the risk of early-onset preeclampsia was not decreased among mothers exposed during the first trimester compared with unexposed women with treatment indications [RRpooled: 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93-1.67]. Similarly, the risk of late-onset preeclampsia was not decreased among mothers exposed during the second trimester compared with unexposed women (RRpooled: 0.99, 95% CI 0.81-1.22).

CONCLUSION

Contrary to the hypothesis, exposure to TNF-α inhibitors during pregnancy did not appear to be associated with a reduced risk of early-onset or late-onset preeclampsia. These findings do not support consideration of the use of TNF-α inhibitors for the prevention of preeclampsia.

Sex- and gender-related differences in psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory musculoskeletal disease with a chronic, progressive course. Various aspects of PsA, including its clinical features, disease course and response to treatment, are influenced by sociodemographic characteristics of the patient. This includes patient sex, the biological attributes associated with being male or female, and gender, a sociocultural construct that comprises attitudes, traits and behaviours associated with being a man or a woman. An understanding of sex- and gender-related differences in PsA, as well as their underlying mechanisms, is therefore important for individualized care. In this narrative review, the influence of sex and gender on PsA manifestation and course, patient function and quality of life, and their association with comorbidities are described. Sex- and gender-related disparities in response to advanced therapies and their potential underlying mechanisms are delineated. Differences in pathophysiological mechanisms between male and female patients including genetics, immune and hormonal mechanisms are discussed. Finally, fertility and pregnancy outcomes in PsA are outlined. By adopting sex and gender lenses, this review is aimed at highlighting key differences between male and female patients with PsA and uncovering mechanisms underlying these differences, ultimately promoting individualized care of men and women with PsA and informing future research in this area.

Fetal and maternal outcomes after maternal biologic use during conception and pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Biologic medications, specifically tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) inhibitors, have become increasingly prevalent in the treatment of chronic inflammatory disease (CID) in pregnancy.

Objective

To determine pregnancy outcomes in women with CID exposed to biologics during pregnancy.

Search strategy

PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched through January 1998–July 2021.

Selection criteria

Peer‐reviewed, English‐language cohort, case–control, cross‐sectional studies, and case series that contained original data.

Data collection and analysis

Two authors independently conducted data extraction. A meta‐analysis of proportions using a random‐effects model was used to pool outcomes. Linear regression analysis was used to compare the mean of proportions of outcomes across exposure groups using the ‘treated’ group as the reference category. All studies were evaluated using an appropriate quality assessment tool. The GRADE approach was used to assess the overall certainty of evidence.

Main results

Thirty‐five studies, describing 11 172 pregnancies, were eligible for inclusion. Analysis showed pooled proportions for congenital malformations as follows: treated 0.04 (95% CI 0.03–0.04; I² = 77) versus disease‐matched 0.04 (95% CI 0.03–0.05. I² = 86; p = 0.238); preterm delivery treated 0.04 (95% CI 0.10–0.14; I² = 88) versus disease‐matched 0.10 (95% CI 0.09–0.12; I² = 87; p = 0.250); severe neonatal infection: treated 0.05 (95% CI 0.03–0.07; I² = 88) versus disease‐matched 0.05 (95% CI 0.02–0.07; I² = 94; p = 0.970); low birthweight: treated 0.10 (95% CI 0.07–0.12; I² = 93) versus disease‐matched 0.08 (95% CI 0.07–0.09; I² = 0; p = 0.241); pooled miscarriage: treated 0.13 (95% CI 0.10–0.15; I² = 77) versus disease‐matched 0.08 (95% CI 0.04–0.11; I² = 5; p = 0.078); pre‐eclampsia; treated 0.01 (95% CI 0.01–0.02; I² = 0) versus disease‐matched 0.01 (95% CI 0.00–0.01; I² = 0; p = 0.193). No statistical differences in proportions were observed. GRADE certainty of findings was low to very low.

Conclusion

We demonstrated comparable pregnancy outcomes in pregnancies exposed to biologics, disease‐matched controls and CID‐free pregnancies using the GRADE approach.

Meta‐analysis of 11 172 pregnancies exposed to biologic medications shows no evidence of harm for the fetus or the mother.

Linked article: This article is commented on by Laurine L. van der Slink, pp. 1247 in this issue. To view this minicommentary visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17095.

Activity of ankylosing spondylitis in women within one year after childbirth

Aim. To assess the dynamics of activity of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) during the year after childbirth, to identify predictors of high activity. Materials and methods. 75 pregnant with confirmed AS (modified New York criteria, 1984) were included for prospective observation. Of these, 44 women were followed up for 1 year after delivery. The average age of the patients was 32.55.8 years, the duration of the disease was 149.096.3 months. Lactation was established in 40 women and the duration was 10 [4; 12] months. Results. The BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) at 1, 6 and 12 months after giving birth was 2.4 [1.4; 4.2], 2.6 [1.4; 4.4] and 2.7 [1.5; 4.1], respectively (p0.05). ASDAS-CRP (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score C-reactive protein) was 2.0 [1.2; 2.7], 1.9 [1.4; 2.5] and 1.7 [1.3; 2.3], respectively (p0.05). There were no differences between the values of BASDAI, ASDAS-CRP between women with and without lactation. Predictors of high AS activity (BASDAI4) 1 month after delivery were: BASDAI4 in the 1st (odds ratio OR 8.1; 95% confidence interval CI 1,837,0) and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.220.6); NRS back pain 4 in the 2nd trimester (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.117.2); cancellation of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs therapy in the 1st trimester of pregnancy (OR 21.0, 95% CI 1.0440.9). Predictors of high AS activity in 6 months after delivery were: BASDAI4 in the 1st (OR 6.5, 95% CI 1.528.7), in the 2nd (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.627.8) and in the 3rd trimesters of pregnancy (OR 8.7, 95% CI 1.938.6); high activity in 1 month after delivery (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.015.9). Conclusion. AS activity remains stable for 1 year after delivery. High AS activity during pregnancy was a risk factor for high activity within 6 months after delivery.

Therapy of psoriasis during pregnancy and breast-feeding

There have been multiple systemic drugs approved for the therapy of psoriasis vulgaris and psoriasis arthritis (PsA) in the last decade. However, treatment decisions are difficult to make in women planning a pregnancy and in pregnant and lactating women due to the paucity of data for such cases. The strongest evidence for psoriasis therapy during pregnancy exists for topical corticosteroids. Medically controlled use of UVB-therapy is also considered safe. The best evidence regarding systemic therapy during pregnancy and lactation is available for the group of TNF-alpha inhibitors, which is also reflected in the respective medical product information. This is especially important in cases of psoriatic arthritis. Among traditional systemic therapeutics, the largest clinical experience exists for ciclosporin, which, if medically necessary, may be continued during gestation. However, TNF-alpha inhibitors, especially the pegylated form, should be preferred in case of pregnancy. Furthermore, an elective pregnancy termination is not necessary due to systemic therapy of psoriasis with many further substances during the first pregnancy weeks. The current work provides a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on treatment of psoriasis during pregnancy and lactation. Based on the available scientific information, severity of psoriasis and patient's comorbidities, the best possible therapeutic approach can be found in consensus with the patient.

Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in women with immune mediated inflammatory diseases exposed to anti-tumor necrosis factor-α during pregnancy: A systemic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Anti-TNFα is increasingly used as treatment for immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID), such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriasis (PS). However, the impact of anti-TNFα during pregnancy on mother and newborn is under debate. This requires a sound knowledge of the effects of this treatment on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To assess pregnancy and neonatal outcomes after anti-TNFα therapy during pregnancy in women with IMID, specifically IBD, RA and PS.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 39 studies assessing pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of women with IMID exposed to anti-TNFα agents during pregnancy. We used a random-effects model to determine pooled outcome measures.

RESULTS

An increased risk of preterm births (OR 1.45, 95% CI = 1.16 to 1.82, p = 0.001) and infections in newborns (OR 1.12, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.27, p = 0.05)) was seen for women in the combined group of IMID exposed to anti-TNFα compared to diseased controls. Specifically for IBD patients exposed to anti-TNFα, the risk was increased for preterm birth (OR 1.66, 95% CI = 1.14 to 2.42, p = 0.009), and low birth weight (OR 1.49, 95% CI = 1.01 to 2.20, p = 0.047) compared to diseased controls. Combined data from studies of women with RA and PS, showed no increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcome after exposure to anti-TNFα. Most children of mothers with IMID received vaccination according to national vaccination schemes and only minor adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to anti-TNFα agents during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of preterm birth and infections in newborns of women with IMID compared to diseased controls. The risk of preterm birth and low birth weight was increased in women with IBD specifically. The increased risk of infections in newborns underlines the importance of vaccination, which seems to be safe in children exposed to anti-TNFα. Delay of vaccination is therefore unnecessary in these children. These data may aid in balancing the continuing anti-TNFα therapy versus the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Tough Choices: Exploring Medication Decision-Making During Pregnancy and Lactation Among Women With Inflammatory Arthritis

Objective

This study explored how women’s beliefs about drug safety and interactions with their health care providers influenced their decisions to continue arthritis medications during pregnancy and lactation.

Methods

We collaborated with ArthritisPower, a patient‐powered research network, and CreakyJoints, its partner online community, to develop and disseminate a survey among members with inflammatory arthritis who had at least one pregnancy after diagnosis. Participants’ free‐text responses were evaluated by using thematic analysis.

Results

Women in the sample were 40 years old on average (N = 66). Nineteen of their pregnancies had ended in fetal loss. Fifteen percent of all pregnancies were exposed to methotrexate. Among women who used safe arthritis medications, up to 80% discontinued treatment either in preparation for pregnancy or during pregnancy or lactation. Women’s decisions to continue medications during pregnancy were influenced by their perceptions of safety and advisement from health care providers, although they often described that advice about medication safety was inconsistent between providers.

Conclusion

Women often chose to endure active inflammatory arthritis rather than to use disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs because of concerns about medication safety during pregnancy and lactation. Conflicting medical advice from health care providers undermined patients’ trust in their providers and in the safety of their medications. The high rate of peripartum exposure to methotrexate, a fetotoxic drug, underscores the need for better family planning care for women with childbearing potential.

Pregnancy in women with psoriatic arthritis: A systematic literature review of disease activity and adverse pregnancy outcomes

BACKGROUND

There is limited robust evidence on the course of pregnancy and its outcomes in women with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) on which to base recommendations for the management of these patients.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective was to review available data on (I) disease activity during pregnancy and on (II) adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) in women with PsA. Secondly, neonatal outcomes and treatment of the rheumatic disease were investigated.

METHODS

Systematic literature search within the databases Pubmed and Embase until 30 Nov 2020 was performed. Additionally, reference lists of included studies and of review articles revealed by the search were screened. All full text articles identified and published in English language were systematically evaluated by two reviewers. All studies that reported on one of the primary outcomes and included at least five pregnancies in women with PsA were considered.

RESULTS

The review of 734 search results revealed 13 eligible publications reporting on a total of 2,332 pregnancies in women with PsA. Nine studies reported on PsA activity and showed an increase or worsening of disease activity after delivery compared to the pregnancy period. APOs were reported by nine studies. Adjusted analyses of APOs did not show an increased risk for gestational diabetes, small for gestational age and low birth weight in PsA patients in relation to the respective comparator groups. However, there were signals for a higher pre-eclampsia, elective caesarean section and preterm birth risk in PsA pregnancies. Meta-analysis was not performed due to study heterogeneity.

DISCUSSION

This review showed a postpartum deterioration of disease activity in women with PsA and no risk elevation for gestational diabetes, small for gestational age and low birth weight. A higher risk for pre-eclampsia, elective caesarean section and preterm birth in PsA pregnancies cannot be ruled out. Differences in the studies investigated limit overall summary statements on disease activity and APOs in women with PsA. Harmonization of study approaches, instruments and outcome reporting is crucial to ensure informed counselling of patients with PsA before, during and after pregnancy that is based on robust data.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020162242.

Intrauterine Exposure to Biologics in Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory autoimmune diseases are chronic diseases that often affect women of childbearing age. Therefore, detailed knowledge of the safety profile of medications used for management of inflammatory autoimmune diseases during pregnancy is important. However, in many cases the potential harmful effects of medications (especially biologics) during pregnancy (and lactation) on mother and child have not been fully identified.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to update the data on the occurrence of miscarriages and (major) congenital malformations when using biologics during pregnancy based on newly published articles. Additionally, we selected several different secondary outcomes that may be of interest for clinicians, especially information on adverse events in the use of a specific biologic during pregnancy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A search was conducted from 1 January 2015 until 4 July 2019 in Embase.com, Medline Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google Scholar with specific search terms for each database. Selection of publications was based on title/abstract and followed by full text (double blinded, two researchers). An overview was made based on outcomes of interest. References of the included publications were reviewed to include and minimize the missing publications.

RESULTS

A total of 143 publications were included. The total number of cases ranged from nine for canakinumab to 4276 for infliximab. The rates of miscarriages and major congenital malformations did not show relevant differences from those rates in the general population.

CONCLUSION

Despite limitations to our study, no major safety issues were reported and no trend could be identified in the reported malformations.

Sex steroids and autoimmune rheumatic diseases: state of the art

In autoimmune rheumatic diseases, oestrogens can stimulate certain immune responses (including effects on B cells and innate immunity), but can also have dose-related anti-inflammatory effects on T cells, macrophages and other immune cells. By contrast, androgens and progesterone have predominantly immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. Hormone replacement therapies and oral contraception (and also pregnancy) enhance or decrease the severity of autoimmune rheumatic diseases at a genetic or epigenetic level. Serum androgen concentrations are often low in men and in women with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, suggesting that androgen-like compounds might be a promising therapeutic approach. However, androgen-to-oestrogen conversion (known as intracrinology) is enhanced in inflamed tissues, such as those present in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In addition, it is becoming evident that the gut microbiota differs between the sexes (known as the microgenderome) and leads to sex-dependent genetic and epigenetic changes in gastrointestinal inflammation, systemic immunity and, potentially, susceptibility to autoimmune or inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Future clinical research needs to focus on the therapeutic use of androgens and progestins or their downstream signalling cascades and on new oestrogenic compounds such as tissue-selective oestrogen complex to modulate altered immune responses.

Disease course and obstetric outcomes of pregnancies in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: are there any differences among disease subtypes? A single-centre retrospective study of prospectively followed pregnancies in a dedicated pregnancy clinic

To study disease activity during pregnancy and obstetric outcomes in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) upon different subsets and with focus on medication use. Retrospective observational study of 22 pregnancies in 16 JIA patients (95.5% Caucasian) who were followed between 2010 and 2018. Disease activity, flares and medications were recorded before conception, during each trimester and postpartum period. Pregnancies occurred in 10 (45.5%) oligoarticular extended (OLA-E), 6 (27.3%) in polyarticular (PLA), 4 in (18.2%) systemic (SYS), 1 (4.5%) in oligoarticular persistent (OLA-P) and 1 (4.5%) in enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) JIA patients. The median age at disease diagnosis and at conception was 5.5 and 28 years (respectively). The median disease duration was 20 years. Nineteen (95%) pregnancies started in a period of stable disease remission. Among the 22 pregnancies, 20 ended with a live birth (90.9%). No spontaneous miscarriages occurred; two voluntary interruption of pregnancy were performed. There were 7 flares in 6/20 pregnancies (35%) and 8 flares (8/22, 36.4%) occurred in postpartum period, all of them in OLA-E and PLA patients. Seven patients (35%) were taking biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) at conception, and 6 of them stopped this treatment at positive pregnancy test. Five patients resumed bDMARDs either during pregnancy (3 exposed during the third trimester) or puerperium due to a flare. Four preterm deliveries (20%) were recorded, all in patients who had a flare during pregnancy. The preconception counselling should include the evaluation of disease subset, as OLA-E and PLA may flare more than other subsets, especially if bDMARDs are discontinued at positive pregnancy test. Continuation of bDMARDs during pregnancy should be considered to minimize the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly preterm delivery. Key Points • In our cohort, all the flares during pregnancy and 75% of postpartum flares were observed in patients who withdrew bDMARDs and cDMARDs at the beginning of pregnancy. • Flares were observed only in PLA and OLA-E patients. • Preterm delivery occurred in 20% of the pregnancies; all of these patients had a disease flare during pregnancy.

HELLP Syndrome Complicated By Pulmonary Edema: A Case Report

HELLP syndrome is a combination of symptoms described as hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets. HELLP is a common life-threatening complication of pregnancy thought to be a variant or complication of preeclampsia. In this case report, we aimed to present a woman with acute postpartum HELLP syndrome complicated by pulmonary edema after caesarean section following severe preeclampsia. Our experience suggests that early detection of HELLP syndrome and timely management will bring good outcomes.