Impaired fertility in men diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis: results of a large multicentre study (iFAME-Fertility). Issue 12 (9th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perez-Garcia, Luis Fernando; Röder, Esther; Goekoop, Robbert J; Hazes, Johanna M W; Kok, Marc R; Smeele, Hieronymus T W; Tchetverikov, Ilja; van der Helm-van Mil, Annette H M; van der Kaap, Jos H; Kok, Petra; Krijthe, Bouwe P; Dolhain, Radboud J E M
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 80:Issue 12(2021)
• Page Start: 1545
• Page End: 1552
• Publication Date: 2021-08-09
• Subjects: arthritis -- rheumatoid -- spondylitis -- ankylosing -- epidemiology -- inflammation; Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220709
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: The impact of inflammatory arthritis (IA) on male fertility remains unexplored. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of IA on several male fertility outcomes; fertility rate (number of biological children per man), family planning, childlessness and fertility problems. Methods: We performed a multicentre cross-sectional study (iFAME-Fertility). Men with IA 40 years or older who indicated that their family size was complete were invited to participate. Participants completed a questionnaire that included demographic, medical and fertility-related questions. To analyse the impact of IA on fertility rate, patients were divided into groups according to the age at the time of their diagnosis: ≤30 years (before the peak of reproductive age), between 31 and 40 years (during the peak) and ≥41 years (after the peak). Results: In total 628 participants diagnosed with IA were included. Men diagnosed ≤30 years had a lower mean number of children (1.32 (SD 1.14)) than men diagnosed between 31 and 40 years (1.60 (SD 1.35)) and men diagnosed ≥41 years (1.88 (SD 1.14)).This was statistically significant (p=0.0004).The percentages of men diagnosed ≤30 and 31–40 years who were involuntary childless (12.03% vs 10.34% vs 3.98%, p=0.001) and who reported having received medical evaluations for fertility problems (20.61%, 20.69% and 11.36%, p=0.027) were statistically significant higher than men diagnosed ≥41 years. Conclusions: This is the first study that shows that IA can impair male fertility. Men diagnosed with IA before and during the peak of reproductive age had a lower fertility rate, higher childlessness rate and more fertility problems. Increased awareness and more research into the causes behind this association are urgently needed.