Autoimmune Condition Diagnosis Following Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Problem

Research has suggested a link between recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and cell-mediated immunity dysregulation. We aimed to determine if a history of RPL is associated with diagnosis of a cell-mediated autoimmune condition (AIC).

Method of Study

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX research network. The RPL group had ≥3 spontaneous or missed abortions. Controls had at least one pregnancy but no diagnosis of RPL. Propensity score matching was used for age, race, and ethnicity. Z-test and relative risk analysis investigated the relationship between RPL and subsequent AIC diagnoses.

Results

One hundred twenty-eight thousand three hundred seventy-six patients were included in each cohort. RPL was associated with an increased risk for an AIC composite (RR 1.60, 95% CI [1.51, 1.69]), Crohn's disease, Graves’ disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ulcerative colitis, but not psoriatic arthritis.

Conclusions

Using a large research database of patients with RPL, we were able to demonstrate that an antecedent diagnosis of RPL is associated with increased risk of subsequent diagnosis of an AIC, often between 1 and 10 years after RPL.