Objective Autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases can affect both the timing and ability of women to conceive. There is limited data addressing the outcomes of in vitro fer- tilisation (IVF) in autoimmune and auto-inflammatory-related infertility. This study presents the IVF experience in women diagnosed with at least one auto-inflamma- tory disease or autoimmune disorder except for the more common autoimmune di- sorders that primarily impact the thyroid gland. Material and Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on women diagnosed with at least one auto- immune or auto-inflammatory disease and had undergone at least one IVF cycle between 2014 and 2023. Results The study included 60 women who underwent a total of 74 IVF procedures. Rheu- matoid arthritis was the most common autoimmune condition, affecting 26.6% of the patients, closely followed by Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) in 25% of the patients. The main factor causing infertility in the sample population was the dimi- nished ovarian reserve, which affected around 64.9% of the participants. The median age at the time of IVF was 33 years. Out of 74 IVF cycles, there were 15 pregnan- cies, resulting in 9 live births (60%) and 6 miscarriages (40%). The IVF clinical pregnancy rate was 20.2% and the live birth rate was 12.1%. Obstetric complications included one case each of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. No maternal or neonatal deaths occurred, and no cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome were reported. Conclusion The outcomes of IVF in 60 patients diagnosed with autoimmune and auto-inflam- matory diseases were analysed in this study. The IVF procedure exhibited compa- ratively low pregnancy and live birth rates. However, more than half of the on-going pregnancies resulted in live births. IVF remains a promising option for fertility treat- ment in patients with autoimmune diseases.
Objective Autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases can affect both the timing and ability of women to conceive. There is limited data addressing the outcomes of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in autoimmune and auto-inflammatory-related infertility. This study presents the IVF experience in women diagnosed with at least one auto-inflamma- tory disease or autoimmune disorder except for the more common autoimmune di- sorders that primarily impact the thyroid gland. Material and Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on women diagnosed with at least one auto- immune or auto-inflammatory disease and had undergone at least one IVF cycle between 2014 and 2023. Results The study included 60 women who underwent a total of 74 IVF procedures. Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common autoimmune condition, affecting 26.6% of the patients, closely followed by Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) in 25% of the patients. The main factor causing infertility in the sample population was the dimi- nished ovarian reserve, which affected around 64.9% of the participants. The median age at the time of IVF was 33 years. Out of 74 IVF cycles, there were 15 pregnancies, resulting in 9 live births (60%) and 6 miscarriages (40%). The IVF clinical pregnancy rate was 20.2% and the live birth rate was 12.1%. Obstetric complications included one case each of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. No maternal or neonatal deaths occurred, and no cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome were reported. Conclusion The outcomes of IVF in 60 patients diagnosed with autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases were analysed in this study. The IVF procedure exhibited compa- ratively low pregnancy and live birth rates. However, more than half of the on-going pregnancies resulted in live births. IVF remains a promising option for fertility treatment in patients with autoimmune diseases.
