Impaired fertility in men diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis: results of a large multicentre study (iFAME-Fertility)

Perez-Garcia, L.F.; Roder, E.; Goekoop, R.J.; Hazes, J.M.W.; Kok, M.R.; Smeele, H.T.W.; Tchetverikov, I.; Helm-van Mil, A.H.M. van der; Kaap, J.H. van der; Kok, P.; Krijthe, B.P.; Dolhain, R.J.E.M.

doi:doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220709

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...Show moreObjectives 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.Show less

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Impaired fertility in men diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis: results of a large multicentre study (iFAME-Fertility)