Recent research indicates that previous concerns about mortality associated with pregnancy in women with SLE may no longer be applicable. In the study, researchers found a significant decline in the in-hospital maternal mortality rate of women with SLE and a decrease in their length of non-delivery related hospitalization over the past two decades…
A More Complicated Pregnancy: Inflammatory Arthritis Increases the Risk for Adverse Outcomes
Pregnant women with inflammatory arthritis may have an increased risk for preterm delivery. New research examined the risk of preterm delivery and other pregnancy complications in women with RA and JIA vs. healthy controls…
Lupus Pregnancy Outcomes Improved Over the Past 2 Decades
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Pregnancy outcomes in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have improved markedly over the past two decades, although pregnancy risks remain higher than in women without lupus, according to a trends analysis. “Thirty years ago, most women with SLE were advised to avoid pregnancy because of high risks for maternal and fetal…
Health Canada Approves Certolizumab Pegol & NICE Issues Guidance for Certolizumab Pegol
Certolizumab pegol has been approved in Canada for treating adults with plaque psoriasis. The U.K. has also issued its final guidance for the treatment’s use…
Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis
New data from India suggest women with idiopathic inflammatory myositis are at increased risk of poor fetal outcomes and spontaneous abortions. In the study, researchers found these women had worse obstetric outcomes and increased risk of fetal complications…
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome of Pregnancy May Persist Long After Delivery
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—About 15% of women who develop carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) while pregnant will suffer persistent and worsening symptoms long after delivery, a new study suggests. “Conventional medical wisdom has been that gestational carpal tunnel syndrome simply goes away after pregnancy, and for many women this is true. However, in our practice this…
Promote Pregnancy Wellness: Data Can Help Guide Pregnancy Management in Lupus
AMSTERDAM—Clinicians who are counseling women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have the benefit of an array of new insights into factors linked with increased risk of pregnancy loss, how SLE therapies affect pregnancy and data on outcomes of children born to mothers with SLE, an expert said in a session at EULAR: the Annual European…
Family Planning Counseling & the Rheumatologist
Women with rheumatic diseases have unique reproductive health needs, and family planning counseling is a critical component to their overall healthcare. A new research review examines the barriers to patients with rheumatic disease receiving family planning counseling. Additionally, reviewers provide rheumatologists with practical suggestions to optimize communication with patients, as well as address the effect of medications and the effectiveness of contraception…
EU Approves Certolizumab Pegol for Pregnant & Nursing Patients
In the EU, certolizumab pegol has been approved for use in pregnant and nursing women with chronic rheumatic disease…
Key U.S. Senators Reach Deal on Funding Children’s Health Program
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—Leaders of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee said on Tuesday they reached an agreement to finance a federal insurance program for millions of lower-income children and pregnant women that was due to expire at the end of the month. Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, chairman of the finance committee, and the panel’s top Democrat, Senator…