title: Is pregnancy a risk factor for rheumatic autoimmune diseases?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the association of pregnancy with the risk of subsequent development of rheumatic autoimmune diseases in women, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is a small but growing literature related to the risk of autoimmune rheumatic disease in association with pregnancy history. However, results conflict both in terms of the direction and magnitude of risk of disease in relationship to prior pregnancy history. Although anecdotal evidence tends to favor the premise that pregnancy is protective against certain diseases, such as RA, the heterogeneity of results precludes the ability to confirm an association in either direction. There is indication that time elapsed since pregnancy may influence risk, with the postpartum year being of particular relevance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To date, a clear pattern has not emerged regarding pregnancy and the future risk of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. This topic requires greater study, and given the strong female preponderance of these diseases, future research efforts should seek to resolve this important issue.
authors.affiliation: aDivision of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine bDivision of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan cDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Marder
authors.forename: Emily C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Somers
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000276:immunology*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000276:immunology