PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Luis Fernando Perez-Garcia
AU  - Esther Röder
AU  - Robbert J Goekoop
AU  - Johanna M W Hazes
AU  - Marc R Kok
AU  - Hieronymus T W Smeele
AU  - Ilja Tchetverikov
AU  - Annette H M van der Helm-van Mil
AU  - Jos H van der Kaap
AU  - Petra Kok
AU  - Bouwe P Krijthe
AU  - Radboud J E M Dolhain
TI  - Impaired fertility in men diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis: results of a large multicentre study (iFAME-Fertility)
AID  - 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220709
DP  - 2021 Dec 01
TA  - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
PG  - 1545--1552
VI  - 80
IP  - 12
4099  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/80/12/1545.short
4100  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/80/12/1545.full
SO  - Ann Rheum Dis2021 Dec 01; 80
AB  - Objectives The impact of inflammatory arthritis (IA) on male fertility remains unexplored. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of IA on several male fertility outcomes; fertility rate (number of biological children per man), family planning, childlessness and fertility problems.Methods We performed a multicentre cross-sectional study (iFAME-Fertility). Men with IA 40 years or older who indicated that their family size was complete were invited to participate. Participants completed a questionnaire that included demographic, medical and fertility-related questions. To analyse the impact of IA on fertility rate, patients were divided into groups according to the age at the time of their diagnosis: ≤30 years (before the peak of reproductive age), between 31 and 40 years (during the peak) and ≥41 years (after the peak).Results In total 628 participants diagnosed with IA were included. Men diagnosed ≤30 years had a lower mean number of children (1.32 (SD 1.14)) than men diagnosed between 31 and 40 years (1.60 (SD 1.35)) and men diagnosed ≥41 years (1.88 (SD 1.14)).This was statistically significant (p=0.0004).The percentages of men diagnosed ≤30 and 31–40 years who were involuntary childless (12.03% vs 10.34% vs 3.98%, p=0.001) and who reported having received medical evaluations for fertility problems (20.61%, 20.69% and 11.36%, p=0.027) were statistically significant higher than men diagnosed ≥41 years.Conclusions This is the first study that shows that IA can impair male fertility. Men diagnosed with IA before and during the peak of reproductive age had a lower fertility rate, higher childlessness rate and more fertility problems. Increased awareness and more research into the causes behind this association are urgently needed.No data are available.