19A105

Advice to males with rheumatic diseases on biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic (DMARD) therapy planning to conceive – A regional audit

Author(s)

David Brennan, Michelle McHenry

Department(s)/Institutions

Department of Rheumatology, Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom

Introduction

There are multiple male patients with rheumatic diseases who are of the appropriate age to conceive, and who are on biologic DMARD therapy. There is limited evidence relating to the impact of these therapies upon peri-conception paternal exposure and male fertility. The British Society of Rheumatology have issued some recommendations in their BSR and BHPR guideline on ‘prescribing drugs in pregnancy and breastfeeding—Part I: standard and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and corticosteroids’ (published 10th January 2016), but not all medications have been included, and the evidence for these recommendations is limited.

Aims/Background

To ascertain the current advice being given within the rheumatology departments in Northern Ireland to males with rheumatic diseases on biologic DMARD therapy who are planning to conceive.

Method

An anonymous questionnaire was developed listing the common biologic DMARDs being used to treat rheumatic diseases. Respondents were asked to indicate if, and for how long, they asked male patients to discontinue these non-biologic DMARDs when planning to conceive. The questionnaire was distributed to Consultant Rheumatologists and Rheumatology Specialty Trainees working in Northern Ireland in October 2018.

Results

There were 18 respondents, (response rate 54%). Below are tables summarising the responses for each of the biologic DMARDs listed in the questionnaire. Table 1 shows the percentage of respondents who recommend that the biologic DMARDs listed should be discontinued by male patients planning to conceive. Table 2 shows the duration of time that the respondents recommended discontinuing the biologic DMARDs prior to conception in males if advised to discontinue.

Conclusions

These results indicate that there is a variation in advice being given to male patients on biologic DMARDs who are planning to conceive. There is limited evidence on which to base current advice and guidance. More research into this area is needed. Registration of the relevant pregnancies with the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) will help to gather better evidence for the future. This will enable more informed decision making to be facilitated.


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