Sexual function and reproduction can be impaired in men with rheumatic diseases: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Information about the possible effect of rheumatic diseases on male sexual function and reproduction (sexual health) is scarce and difficult to summarize. Factors known to impair sexual health, such as inflammation, medication use and hypogonadism can be present in a significant proportion of male patients with rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of our study was to systematically review the literature for the influence of paternal rheumatic disease on sexual health, such as sexual function, reproductive hormones, male fertility, pregnancy and offspring outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

English language articles identified through Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, Google Scholar and the Clinical trial registries of Europe and the USA published until February 2019.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

Literature was synthesized in narrative form and in summary tables. Outcomes were categorized as: sexual function, reproductive hormones, fertility and pregnancy and offspring outcomes. Results are presented per category and per disease.

RESULTS

9735 articles were identified with our search strategy. After removal of duplicates, excluding articles by screening titles and abstracts and assessing eligibility by reading 289 fulltext articles, 87 articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria. All included studies enrolled patients diagnosed with a rheumatic disease and had results at least on one of the outcome categories. Sexual function was the most common category, followed by reproductive hormones, fertility and pregnancy and offspring outcomes. Sexual function is impaired in a high proportion of patients with rheumatic diseases. This was statistically significant in most of the studies where a control group was available. Clinically relevant abnormalities in reproductive hormones were mainly identified in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a positive correlation with disease activity were reported. Semen quality in men with rheumatic diseases can be impaired in patients with SLE, SpA, sarcoidosis, BD and MWS. Sperm count and motility were the most common semen quality parameters affected. No negative effect of paternal RA and vasculitis on pregnancy outcomes were reported in 3 studies. No studies reporting the effect of paternal disease on offspring outcomes were identified.

LIMITATIONS

Most of the studies included in this review suffer from an inconsistent methodological quality, definitions of outcomes varied in several studies, a wide variety of screening questionnaires and/or diagnostic tools were used and results might only apply to the specific populations that were studied.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review suggests that sexual health is impaired in men with rheumatic diseases. The degree and extent of sexual health impairment vary per disease. More research is needed to fully understand the link between rheumatic diseases and impaired male sexual health. Meanwhile, rheumatologists should be aware of this association and discuss it with their patients.

IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS

Sexual health of men with rheumatic diseases can be impaired by the disease itself. Especially in men trying to conceive, information on sexual function, reproductive hormones and sperm quality are needed to identify these problems. Treatment resulting in lower disease activity can improve overall sexual health in man with rheumatic diseases and facilitate their journey to fatherhood.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018099845.

The effect of paternal exposure to immunosuppressive drugs on sexual function, reproductive hormones, fertility, pregnancy and offspring outcomes: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Information regarding the possible influence of immunosuppressive drugs on male sexual function and reproductive outcomes is scarce. Men diagnosed with immune-mediated diseases and a wish to become a father represent an important neglected population since they lack vital information to make balanced decisions about their treatment.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

The aim of this research was to systematically review the literature for the influence of paternal immunosuppressive drug use on many aspects of male sexual health, such as sexual function, fertility, pregnancy outcomes and offspring health outcomes.

SEARCH METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in the bibliographic databases: Embase (via Elsevier embase.com), MEDLINE ALL via Ovid, Cochrane Central Register of Trials (via Wiley) and Web of Science Core Collection. Additionally, Google Scholar and the Clinical trial registries of Europe and the USA were searched. The databases were searched from inception until 31 August 2019. The searches combined keywords regarding male sexual function and fertility, pregnancy outcomes and offspring health with a list of immunosuppressive drugs. Studies were included if they were published in English and if they included original data on male human exposure to immunosuppressive drugs. A meta-analysis was not possible to perform due to the heterogeneity of the data.

OUTCOMES

A total of 5867 references were identified, amongst which we identified 161 articles fulfilling the eligibility criteria. Amongst these articles, 50 included pregnancy and offspring outcomes and 130 included sexual health outcomes. Except for large Scandinavian cohorts, most of the identified articles included a small number of participants. While a clear negative effect on sperm quality was evident for sulfasalazine and cyclophosphamide, a dubious effect was identified for colchicine, methotrexate and sirolimus. In three articles, exposure to tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors in patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis resulted in improved sperm quality. The information regarding pregnancy and offspring outcomes was scant but no large negative effect associated with paternal immunosuppressive drug exposure was reported.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

Evidence regarding the safety of immunosuppressive drugs in men with a wish to become a father is inconclusive. The lack of standardisation on how to evaluate and report male sexual function, fertility and reproduction as study outcomes in men exposed to immunosuppressive drugs is an important contributor to this result. Future research on this topic is needed and should be preferably done using standardised methods.

Epidemiological characterisation of asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 in Colombia: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Asymptomatic carriers (AC) of the new SARS-CoV-2 represent an important source of spread for COVID-19. Early diagnosis of these cases is a powerful tool to control the pandemic. Our objective was to characterise patients with AC status and identify associated sociodemographic factors.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design and the national database of daily occurrence of COVID-19, we characterised both socially and demographically all ACs. Additional correspondence analysis and logistic regression model were performed to identify characteristics associated with AC state (OR, 95% CI).

RESULTS

76.162 ACs (12.1%; 95% CI 12.0% to 12.2%) were identified, mainly before epidemiological week 35. Age≤26 years (1.18; 1.09 to 1.28), male sex (1.51; 1.40 to 1.62), cases imported from Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Puerto Rico, Spain, USA or Mexico (12.6; 3.03 to 52.5) and autochthonous cases (22.6; 5.62 to 91.4) increased the risk of identifying ACs. We also identified groups of departments with moderate (1.23; 1.13 to 1.34) and strong (19.8; 18.6 to 21.0) association with ACs.

CONCLUSION

Sociodemographic characteristics strongly associated with AC were identified, which may explain its epidemiological relevance and usefulness to optimise mass screening strategies and prevent person-to-person transmission.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and COVID-19 during pregnancy

Background: The ongoing corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having a worldwide impact. Valuable information on the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in pregnant patients with an autoimmune disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is currently lacking. Methods: Herein, we describe the clinical presentation of 2 pregnant patients with SLE and mild symptomatic COVID-19 infection. Results: In both pregnant SLE patients, a watchful-waiting approach without initiation of treatment for COVID-19 was taken. No adverse outcomes were reported and both pregnancies resulted in healthy neonates born at term. In one patient we observed a flare in SLE disease activity, most likely attributed to discontinuing SLE treatment. Conclusion: Our report highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration between health care professionals as well as individualized treatment decisions during unprecedented periods such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Discontinuation of immunosuppressive drugs during the acute phase of a COVID-19 infection should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Maternal treatment decisions should be in line with current recommendations for treatment of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases during COVID-19 infection and in line with treatment of COVID- 19 during pregnancy.

Myopericarditis with predominantly right ventricular involvement with normal B-type natriuretic peptide and cardiac tamponade as the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus

A previously healthy young man presented with a 12-hour history of sudden dyspnea and severe chest pain at rest. Initial findings of physical examination, electrocardiogram and chest radiography showed typical pericarditis and clinical instability. Echocardiogram revealed small pericardial effusion with right ventricle dilatation. The patient was admitted in the ICU; a new echocardiogram revealed moderate pericardial effusion and diagnosis of pericarditis complicated with acute cardiac tamponade was established. The patient transiently improved after pericardial window. In the following hours, the diagnosis of myocarditis with predominantly right ventricular involvement (MPRVI) with severe right heart failure was supported by clinical, chest radiography and echocardiogram data, despite normal B-type natriuretic peptide. On day 2, cardiac troponin I detection was observed. By day 3, B-type natriuretic peptide in the range of ventricular dysfunction was identified. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance findings supported the diagnosis of MPRVI. A systematic MEDLINE/PubMed from 1993 to 2013 does not identify any cases of MPRVI related to systemic lupus erythematosus. Simultaneous acute MPRVI with normal B-type natriuretic peptide and acute cardiac tamponade heralding the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus, to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously described.

Paternal inflammatory arthritis is associated with a higher risk of miscarriage: results of a large multicenter study (iFAME-Fertility)

Objectives

Paternal preconception health is recognized as an important contributor to pregnancy outcomes. Nonetheless, pregnancy outcomes of partners of men with inflammatory arthritis (IA) have never been studied. Our objective was to describe the pregnancy outcomes of partners of men diagnosed with IA.

Methods

We performed a multicentre cross-sectional retrospective study conducted in the Netherlands. Men with IA who were over 40 years old that reported at least one positive pregnancy test were included. To analyse the impact of IA on pregnancy outcomes, pregnancies were classified into two groups: pregnancies conceived after the diagnosis of IA and before the diagnosis of IA.

Results

In total, 408 male participants diagnosed with IA reported 897 singleton pregnancies that resulted in 794 live births. Pregnancies conceived after the diagnosis of IA had higher rate of miscarriage (12.27 vs 7.53%, P = <0.05). This increased risk was still present after adjusting for confounders [OR 2.03 (95% CI 1.12, 3.69) P = 0.015].

Conclusions

This is the largest study to describe the pregnancy outcomes of partners of men diagnosed with IA and the first to demonstrate that paternal IA is associated with a higher risk of miscarriage. Notwithstanding, the overall rate of miscarriage reported in our study could be comparable to previously reported population estimates.

Male Sexual Health and Reproduction in Cutaneous Immune-Mediated Diseases: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Information about the possible effects of cutaneous immune-mediated diseases (cIMDs) on male sexual function and reproduction is scarce. Factors known to impair sexual health and reproduction, such as inflammation, medication use, and hypogonadism, can be present in a significant proportion of male patients with cIMD.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the literature for the influence of paternal cIMD on many aspects of male sexual and reproductive health, such as sexual function, reproductive hormones, fertility, and pregnancy and offspring outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed. The searches combined keywords regarding male sexual function and fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and offspring's health with a list of cIMDs.

RESULTS

The majority of the identified studies included patients with psoriasis (22 of 27), and sexual function was the most common outcome of interest (20 of 27). For patients diagnosed with psoriasis, the prevalence of male sexual dysfunction reported in these studies ranged from 34 to 81%. Hypogonadism in patients with psoriasis was reported in 2 of 3 studies. Sperm analysis abnormalities in patients with psoriasis were reported in 3 of 4 studies. No information about the effect of paternal disease on pregnancy and offspring outcomes was identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Disease activity in psoriasis might play an important role in the development of sexual dysfunction, hypogonadism, and abnormal sperm quality. For the other cIMD included in this review, there is insufficient information regarding male sexual and reproductive health to draw firm conclusions. More research is needed to understand the association between cIMD and impaired male sexual and reproductive health. Perez-Garcia LF, Dolhain R, te Winkel B, et al. Male Sexual Health and Reproduction in Cutaneous Immune-Mediated Diseases: A Systematic Review. Sex Med Rev 2021;9:423-433.

Tele-entomology and tele-parasitology: A citizen science-based approach for surveillance and control of Chagas disease in Venezuela

Chagas Disease (CD), a chronic infection caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, is a Neglected Tropical Disease endemic to Latin America. With a re-emergence in Venezuela during the past two decades, the spread of CD has proved susceptible to, and inhibitable by a digital, real-time surveillance system effectuated by Citizen Scientists in communities throughout the country. The #TraeTuChipo (#BringYourKissingBug) campaign implemented in January 2020, has served as such a strategy counting on community engagement to define the current ecological distribution of CD vectors despite the absence of a functional national surveillance program. This pilot campaign collected data through online surveys, social media platforms, and/or telephone text messages. A total of 79 triatomine bugs were reported from eighteen Venezuelan states; 67 bugs were identified as Panstrongylus geniculatus, 1 as Rhodnius pictipes, 1 as Triatoma dimidiata, and 10 as Triatoma maculata. We analyzed 8 triatomine feces samples spotted from 4 Panstrongylus geniculatus which were confirmed positive by qPCR for T. cruzi . Further molecular characterization of discrete typing units (DTUs), revealed that all samples contained TcI, the most highly diverse and broadly distributed strain of T. cruzi. Moreover, analysis of the mitochondrial 12S gene revealed Myotis keaysi, Homo sapiens, and Gallus gallus as the main triatomine feeding sources. This study highlights a novel Citizen Science approach which may help improve the surveillance systems for CD in endemic countries.

Creation of optical speckle by randomizing a vortex-lattice

We investigate the number of vortices embedded in a carrier beam needed to produce a speckle pattern and the necessary conditions in terms of their initial distribution and topological charges. A spatial light modulator is used to imprint arrays of vortices in a Gaussian beam, which is propagated in free space for a given distance and then focused in order to induce interaction among the vortices in the focal region. The resulting optical field is analyzed after propagation up to a transverse plane where the carrier beam would recover its initial size in the absence of vortices. The role of different control parameters for obtaining ordered and disordered patterns is discussed. Our experimental study is complemented with a thorough numerical analysis, from which the statistical properties of the disordered patterns are characterized, and the conditions for obtaining well-developed speckle are determined. We also discuss the creation and annihilation of vortex pairs, depending on the initial conditions.

Discussing male sexual and reproductive health in the rheumatology outpatient clinic: a Q-methodology study

OBJECTIVES

Inflammatory arthritis (IA) has been associated with various problems related to male sexual and reproductive health (SRH). However, addressing these issues in the clinic remains a challenge. In this study, we aimed to describe the viewpoints of rheumatologists and male patients with IA regarding the aspects that influence their communication about SRH.

METHODS

Rheumatologists and adult men with IA were invited to participate. This study uses Q-methodology, a mixed methods approach to systematically study subjectivity. Participants ranked 32 aspects according to their degree of influence (least-most influence) in addressing SRH and were then interviewed. Factor analysis was used to identify common patterns in the rankings. These patterns were interpreted as the different viewpoints of rheumatologists and male patients, supported by the qualitative data from the interviews. To obtain more generalizable results, the study was conducted in two countries with different socio-cultural backgrounds and healthcare systems, The Netherlands and Mexico.

RESULTS

30 rheumatologists and 30 men with IA were included in each country. The analysis revealed three viewpoints in each group. Rheumatologists are more likely to be influenced by aspects such as the patient's desire to become a father or the patients' (young) age, but patients by a much more diverse pool of aspects, such as potential side effects of medication on their sexual function.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified different viewpoints on the aspects that influence discussing SRH between rheumatologists and male patients, and important differences in viewpoints between both groups. Further research is needed to reach consensus on how and when rheumatologists and male patients should discuss SRH.

Determinants of sexual function in male patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVES

Our study aims to describe the association between SLE and sexual function, analysing demographic variables, comorbidities and other disease-related factors. As an exploratory objective, the impact of asking about sexual function during outpatient consultation was evaluated.

METHODS

From 2018 to 2019, we invited sexually active men diagnosed with SLE to complete questionnaires that evaluated their sexual function and quality of life. Additionally, patients were asked if they believed they had sexual dysfunction, whether they would be interested in receiving specialized sexual care, and if they considered SLE to be detrimental to their sexual function. Epidemiological and disease-related data were retrieved from the patients' clinical records.

RESULTS

We included 124 men with SLE. Twenty-two (18%) patients answered positively when asked if they believed they had sexual dysfunction. These patients had lower overall erectile function scores and lower physical function scores than those who did not consider they had sexual dysfunction. In the multivariable analysis, factors that were associated with better sexual function were high physical function (B = 0.126, p = .031), lower BMI (B = 0.53, p = .010) and the patient's perception of normal sexual function (B = 13.0, p < .001). Comorbidities associated with worse sexual function were type 2 diabetes (B = -8.1, p = .017) and a history of thrombosis (B = -5.12, p = .019).

CONCLUSION

Sexual function of male patients with SLE is impaired, independently of disease activity, chronic disease damage or pharmacological treatment. A simple question about perception of sexual function in the outpatient clinic can be used to help determine which patients could benefit from a multidisciplinary intervention to improve sexual health.