Features of the reproductive function of girls and women with rheumatoid arthritis: A review

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common and severe autoimmune diseases. The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis among adults in different geographical areas of the world ranges from 0.5 to 2%. The prevalence of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is approximately 6 per 10 thousand children. The disease occurs 2 times more often in girls than in boys. Some studies have demonstrated a possible effect of high cumulative doses of methotrexate on ovarian function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, but further studies are needed to confirm this effect. The analysis of literature data allowed us to identify prognostically significant factors in the development of autoimmune ovarian failure in patients of reproductive age with rheumatic pathology, and to note the fact that there is missing information about the state of the reproductive system in female patients with juvenile arthritis.