Fertility and reproduction in male patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with infliximab.
OBJECTIVE
To identify male patients who were treated with infliximab and had fathered healthy newborns during their management.


METHODS
We reviewed medical records of men with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who were followed up at the Rheumatology Outpatients clinic and were treated with infliximab during the period 2001-2007.


RESULTS
We identified 4 patients with AS who had fathered 6 healthy children during infliximab treatment. One patient was also treated with small doses of methotrexate.


CONCLUSIONS
Limited data are available concerning the effects of infliximab on semen quality. Our cases provide some evidence or reassurance for male patients treated with the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha agent. Further prospective studies are necessary, however, to guide clinicians in decision making.
Paschou
Sophia
S
Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
Voulgari
Paraskevi V
PV
Vrabie
Ileana G
IG
Saougou
Ioanna G
IG
Drosos
Alexandros A
AA
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab