Pregnancy Still Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis Remission
About 75-90% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis improve during pregnancy, according to previous reports. But how have the new rheumatoid arthritis treatments made available during the last decade affected this statistic? According to a report in the September 15, 2008 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, 84 rheumatoid arthritis patients were assessed for disease activity in 28 joints and their medication use was noted -- before conception, at each trimester, and at 6, 12, and 26 weeks postpartum
Results of the study showed that disease activity decreased during pregnancy and increased postpartum. In patients with at least moderate disease activity in the first trimester, about 48% showed moderate improvement during pregnancy. In patients with low disease activity in the first trimester, disease activity was found to be stable during pregnancy. Less medication was used during pregnancy compared with before conception and postpartum. Also, about 39% of patients had at least a moderate flare postpartum. Researchers concluded that "patients achieve remission during pregnancy and deteriorate postpartum, although less frequently than previously described."
Related Resources:
- Guide to Pregnancy and Arthritis
- Does Stress Trigger Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- 8 Important Facts About Pregnancy and Arthritis
- Why Does Pregnancy Relieve Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms?
- Women With Lupus and RA Have Greater Pregnancy Complications
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Comments
I am a 52 y o woman and I have had RA since I was nine years old. I have 3 children. Since my 1st pregnancy I knew without a doubt that being pregnant was the miracle drug for RA. I told my family that if children weren’t so expensive, I would have one every year. If we could pinpoint what chemical the body produces when a woman is pregnant, I know we would have the cure!!!