Perception of Reproductive Health in Women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Our study demonstrates that women with IBD have misperceptions about fertility, pregnancy, and health maintenance. We also show that education by physicians has a positive influence. We thus conclude that improved multidisciplinary approaches should be used to educate and implement European guidelines for women with IBD.

Systematic review: the consequences of psychosocial effects of inflammatory bowel disease on patients′ reproductive health

“…Some 40%‐68% of patients do not discuss family planning with their healthcare professionals . Patients who received pre‐conception counselling from healthcare professionals were less likely to be voluntarily childless . Multivariate logistic regression analysis estimated that discussing family planning with a physician corresponded to 56% lower odds of having a poor CCPKnow score and 72% lower odds of voluntary childlessness .…”

“…Nearly all of 96 nulliparous female patients from Australia worried about the general effect of IBD on pregnancy (90%) and about the effects of pregnancy on IBD (91%), but the specific nature of these concerns were not noted . In a survey of 348 female patients from six Mediterranean countries [Malta, Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal, and Spain] the reasons for voluntary childlessness included fear that IBD could cause harm to the baby (63%) . Furthermore, 59% of 226 voluntary childless women reported concerns about the effect of pregnancy on IBD, with specific concerns over the effect of pregnancy on disease activity, or that pregnancy may worsen their disease (76% of 37) …”

“…Specific concerns regarding the effects of IBD on pregnancy were noted with concerns regarding birth and pregnancy complications which ranged from 18% to 63% . For example, 63% feared IBD would lead to a complicated pregnancy . In a survey of 443 German IBD women, 234 were childless, and of those 61% were concerned with risk of miscarriage, and 44.6% of women aged 18‐25 years wanted more information on pregnancy .…”

“…Many patients were also concerned about passing on IBD to their offspring . The percentage of women reporting this concerns ranged from moderate to high‐59%; 67%, 68%; 74%; and 73% . However, it is unknown whether patients are more likely to fear transmitting IBD to their offspring in families where IBD is prevalent, as many studies have not collected this data.…”

“…However, it is unknown whether patients are more likely to fear transmitting IBD to their offspring in families where IBD is prevalent, as many studies have not collected this data. Over a third of all patients reported concerns over the effects of IBD medication on children during pregnancy . A survey of 31 IBD patients found high levels of misconceptions and worries about the effect of medication during pregnancy; 68% reported anxiety about the effect their IBD drugs could have on a pregnancy, a third believed all drugs should be ceased during pregnancy, 19% said they would stop their medications even if advised to continue them and 35% believed an IBD flare‐up is less harmful than continuing medication.…”