Autoimmunity Rising in Expectant Mothers Save

Lancet Rheumatology has published a UK study showing a significant increased in the number of expectant mothers beginning their pregnancies with autoimmune conditions.

The MuM-PreDiCT project run by the University of Birmingham, analyzed the electronic healthcare records from CPRD (2000-2021). This included 185 208 pregnancies in 100 655 women diagnosed with autoimmune disease.  

There prevalence of 17 autoimmune diseases rose from 3.5% in 2000 to 4.7% by 2021.  While most of the autoimmune diseases increased from 2000 to 2021, Psoriasis had the highest prevalence throughout the study period.   But the greatest increase was seen for Hashimoto's thyroiditis, followed by coeliac disease, Grave's disease, and type 1 diabetes. 

Autoimmunity was higher in: 

• Women in less deprived areas (adjusted OR 1.10; 95% CI 1.07–1.14). 
  • But, minority ethnic groups had lower prevalence rates compared with White women (Black women 0.48,  Asian women 0.81). 
• Ex-smokers (aOR 1.20; 1·18–1·23)
• Multiparous pregnancies (women >4 pregnancies - aOR 1.12;1·10–1·15)
• Comorbidities (type 2 diabetes 1.41; hypertension 1.07, anxiety 1.15, depression 1.17)

The rising prevalence of autoimmune diseases in pregnancy should be addressed by both health-care providers and health policy planners to optimize maternal and fetal health outcomes.