Prevalence of premature ovarian failure in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with major organ involvement treated with immunosuppressive agents in king chulalongkorn memorial hospital
Abstract:
Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, which mostly affects women in
the reproductive ages. Immunosuppressive therapy of major organ involvement, especially with alkylating
agents has shown to improve the patient survival in those with major organ involvement but may affect their
fertility.
Methods: We evaluated female patients aged 18 - 40 years with current or previous therapy with
immunosuppressive agents seen at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between January 2010 and
March 2011. We determine the prevalence and risk factors of premature ovarian failure (POF) in Thai
population with SLE. Patients who treated with cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil or
methotrexate more than 6 months were included. POF was defined as sustained amenorrhea more than 6
months with hypoestrogenemia and high FSH level before the age of 40 years.
Results: Ninety two patients with SLE were included in this study. The patients mean age at enrollment was
30 ± 6.9 years, and mean duration of treatment was 103 ± 67.5 months and mean damage, defined by
SLICC/ACR damage index (SDI) was 1.7 ± 1.7. Eleven patients (12%) had POF. Patients with POF were
significantly older, had longer duration of disease, had lower creatinine clearance, had higher SDI and had
received more cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide than those without ovarian failure. Azathioprine and
mycophenolate mofetil did not result in amenorrhea. In binary logistic regression model, cyclophosphamide
cumulative dose more than 10 grams was defined as independent risk factor for POF.
Conclusions: POF is common among SLE with major organ involvement. Factors associated with increased
risk include older age, longer disease duration and more cyclophosphamide cumulative dose.