Causes of Comorbid Infertility Among Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to increase our understanding of infertility in women with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). In this study the study team will compare the differences in ovarian reserve (the ability to provide egg cells that are capable of fertilization), the frequency of ovulation and the number of pregnancies between women with and without RA. It is possible that RA activity and medications limit ovarian reserve and ovulation, which may increase infertility among women with RA. There are several suspected causes for infertility in RA, including age-related fertility decline, inflammatory changes that impact endometrial receptivity and discourage implantation, accelerated ovarian decline due to certain arthritis medications and increased frequency of anovulation (a menstrual cycle during which ovaries do not release an egg) due to RA activity. This study is the first step toward our long term goal of increasing the ability of all women with RA to build the family they desire.

Official Title
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Causes of Comorbid Infertility Among Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Conditions
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Infertility, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: RA cohort: Women diagnosed with RA (2010 ACR/EULAR criteria) at least one year prior to enrollment Healthy cohort: Women without autoimmune disease Exclusion Criteria: Unilateral or bilateral ovarian surgery Prior exposure to known or possible ovary-toxic medications (e.g., cyclophosphamide, other chemotherapeutic agents)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis<br>This group will complete questionnaires related to prior pregnancies, intentions and goals for childbearing, fertility history and detailed menstrual history. They will also have a physical exam and blood tests. | |
| Healthy Controls<br>This group will complete questionnaires related to prior pregnancies, intentions and goals for childbearing, fertility history detailed menstrual history, and blood tests. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ovarian Reserve between women with and without RA |  | At study enrollment | 
| Ovulation Frequency between women with and without RA |  | At study enrollment | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rates of Infertility between women with and without RA |  | At study enrollment | 
| Number of Pregnancies between women with and without RA |  | At study enrollment | 
| Age at attempted and actual conception between women with and without RA |  | At study enrollment | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Infertility, Rheumatoid Arthritis