Management of Pregnancy in Rheumatic Disease

Managing patients with rheumatic diseases (RMD) during pregnancy and the postpartum period can be a challenge for both rheumatologists and obstetricians. While disease activity during the course of pregnancy varies with regard to the presence of underlying conditions, maintenance of remission from conception through to delivery increases the chances of an uncomplicated pregnancy. A period of remission of at least 6 months prior to conception increases the chance of a successful conception while decreasing the risk of flares during pregnancy. For this reason, discussion of pregnancy in females with RMDs should begin prior to conception with risk stratification and pregnancy planning. This allows for the transfer to pregnancy-compatible medications, disease stabilisation, determination of autoantibody status, and evaluation of end-organ damage. During pregnancy, where possible, disease activity should be monitored with scores modified to allow use in pregnancy. Prompt recognition and treatment of active disease is essential to minimise the risk to the pregnancy. Systemic lupus erythematosus and axial spondyloarthropathy can present diagnostic dilemmas due to overlap of symptoms of disease activity and normal pregnancy. Patients with end-organ involvement, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or systemic sclerosis, face a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and disease progression. Close monitoring of patients with RMD should be done by both obstetrics and rheumatology, with regular communication between specialties. Medications should be reviewed at each stage of pregnancy to ensure compliance with the current American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines and the adequate treatment of RMDs