Assisted reproduction awareness needed for IBD patients

Description

Greater gastroenterologist awareness of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is needed for patients with  Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, Australian researchers say

A systematic review by Sydney gastroenterologists Dr Robyn Laube, and Professor Rupert Leong, Rupert showed that ART is safe and effective in patients with ulcerative colitis and medically managed Crohn’s disease with pregnancy and live birth rates similar to that of the general population.

However, the data suggested that SART efficacy may reduced in women with CD-related surgery and ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) failure, they wrote in the American Journal of Gastroenterology

Their review included eleven studies and showed that compared with the general population, women with CD (with and without previous surgery) had no difference in pregnancy rates (odds ratio [OR] = 0.69) but had reduced live births (OR = 0.67) per cycle of ART. Live birth rates were 49%–71% lower after CD-related surgery. For women with UC, live birth rates were reduced after IPAA failure (hazard ratio = 0.36).

The findings showed that gastroenterologists should be aware of ART “to facilitate timely fertility therapy referral when indicated, particularly in Crohn’s disease,” they concluded.