To provide an evidence-based clinical resource for managing pregnancy in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA), specifically rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and spondyloarthritis (SpA), while addressing women's specific concerns regarding pregnancy.
Key Findings:
Only 46% of women with IA received counseling on pregnancy risks and medication safety prior to conception, indicating a significant gap in care.
Contraception is underutilized among women with IA, which can lead to unplanned pregnancies and associated risks, necessitating improved education and access.
Long-acting reversible contraceptives are recommended as first-line options for women with IA due to their safety and efficacy.
Interpretation:
The pathway aims to empower healthcare providers and patients with reliable information to facilitate informed decision-making regarding pregnancy in women with IA, addressing their unique concerns.
Limitations:
The pathway does not include patients with other rheumatic diseases like vasculitis and connective tissue diseases, which may require different management strategies.
There are currently no Canadian guidelines specifically addressing this issue, highlighting a gap in available resources.
Conclusion:
The proposed clinical care pathway serves as a necessary resource for healthcare providers to support women with IA in their family planning and pregnancy management, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes.
The agency outlined early regulatory actions supporting nonanimal methods, including draft guidance, artificial intelligence tools, and expanded use of human-relevant data models.
