P–450 Effects of rheumatoid arthritis and methotrexate therapy on ovarian reserve in infertile women
Authors: Vlasova G , Perminova S 
Published: August 2021

Study question

Do patients with infertility and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with methotrexate (MTX) have ovarian reserve alterations?

Summary answer

Women with infertility and RA treated with MTX were found to have statistically significant decrease of ovarian reserve.

What is known already

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most prominent inflammatory diseases affecting women of child-bearing age [Brouwer J. et al, 2014]. RA and its treatment may interfere with the female reproductive physiology. The vast majority of patients with RA are treated with methotrexate (MTX) which is a folate antagonist that inhibits DNA synthesis. MTX, which is the anchor drug in RA, targets actively proliferating cells including the oocytes and granulosa cells which may impair the ovarian reserve [Min Tun Kyaw et al, 2020].

Study design, size, duration

A prospective case-control study that enrolled 72 female patients with infertility was conducted in the 2-year time period of September 2018 to October 2020.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The main group comprised 32 patients with infertility and RA; the control group consisted of 40 women with infertility only. Patients with RA were stratified into subgroups based on whether or not they received MTX.

To investigate ovarian reserve measurement of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was used. The level of AMH was evaluated concerning RA duration and activity, as well as the age at initiation of MTX therapy, dosage, and treatment duration.

Main results and the role of chance

The mean age of the study population was 36±3 years. The duration of RA was 4 [3; 11] years. The low disease activity based on DAS28-ESR (disease activity score based on 28 joints using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate) prevailed(56.2%).

In the main group 19(59.4%) women received MTX therapy. The MTX dosage was 15 [15;20]mg /wk, the duration of MTX therapy by the day of inclusion in the study was 18.7[1; 15]months.

The AMH level was significantly lower in the main group (2.1 n /ml vs 2.73ng /ml, p = 0.043). The number of patients with decreased ovarian reserve (AMH level&lt;1.0ng/ml) significantly prevailed in the group of patients with RA (25% vs 5%, p = 0.015).

When assessing the AMH level in patients with RA who received MTX (n = 19) and patients in the control group, there was a tendency towards a decrease in the indicator in the first subgroup, but no statistically difference was found (p = 0.074).

Correlation analysis of the dependence of AMH level on the patient age showed the most significant decrease in AMH in the patients with RA receiving MTX compared to the patients with RA who did not, and compared to all patients with RA regardless of the therapy received (rs=–0.563)(p &lt; 0.05).

Limitations, reasons for caution

The lack of statistically significant data in certain cases may be due to the small sample size.

Wider implications of the findings: RA and MTX administration are associated with a significant decrease in AMH levels. The age of initiation of the therapy is negatively correlated with the AMH level. In this regard, patients with already compromised reproductive function who are planning to receive MTX should be advised to preserve the genetic material.

Trial registration number

567890