Title:Association between Thiopurines Use and Pregnancy Outcomes in Female Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Meta-Analysis
Volume: 27
Issue: 19
Author(s): Yang Zhang, Dandan Li, Heng Guo, Weina Wang, Xingang Li*Su Shen*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing,China
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing,China
Keywords:
Thiopurines, azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, pregnancy, inflammatory bowel disease, Meta-Analysis.
Abstract:
Background: Conflicting data exist regarding the influence of thiopurines exposure on adverse pregnancy
outcomes in female patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Objective: The aim of this study was to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of the safety of
thiopurines in pregnant IBD women.
Methods: All relevant articles reporting pregnancy outcomes in women with IBD received thiopurines during
pregnancy were identified from the databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov)
with the publication data up to April 2020. Data of included studies were extracted to calculate the relative risk
(RR) of multiple pregnancy outcomes: congenital malformations, low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth, small
for gestational age (SGA), and spontaneous abortion. The meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects
model.
Results: Eight studies matched with the inclusion criteria and a total of 1201 pregnant IBD women who used
thiopurines and 4189 controls comprised of women with IBD received drugs other than thiopurines during pregnancy
were included. Statistical analysis results demonstrated that the risk of preterm birth was significantly increased
in the thiopurine-exposed group when compared to IBD controls (RR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.00-1.79;
p=0.049; I2 =41%), while no statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of other adverse
pregnancy outcomes.
Conclusion: Thiopurines used in women with IBD during pregnancy is not associated with congenital malformations,
LBW, SGA, or spontaneous abortion, but appears to have an association with an increased risk of
preterm birth.
