Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Investigating the interaction between fertility, pregnancy, and multiple sclerosis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Freshteh Ashtari 1
. Fatemeh Mokhtari 2
. Mahboubeh Valiani 1
. Mohammad Soudavi 3
. Homa Saadat 4
. Hamidreza Tolouei 5
. Marjan Mansourian 6

1 Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 MSc, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Deputy of Treatment, Diseases Management Department, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Isfahan, Iran

4 Deputy of Treatment, Diseases Management Department, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Isfahan, Iran,

5 Deputy of Treatment, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Isfahan, Iran

6 Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Health School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Most
women with MS are diagnosed during their reproductive ages. The aim of this study was to evaluate
the interaction between fertility, pregnancy, and MS.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive–analytic study was conducted on 110
women suffering from MS with a history of pregnancy (between 2007 and 2017 years) in Isfahan,
Iran. Samples were selected in a census model. Women completed a researcher-constructed
questionnaire by telephone. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: demographic information, MS
and its symptoms and treatment, and reproductive system and the history of pregnancy associated
with MS. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16 using Chi-square, ANOVA, and t-test.
RESULTS: The mean age of women was 32.4 years. In this population, the average number of
pregnancies was 1.61, the number of deliveries was 1.35, the number of abortions was 0.24, the
history of ectopic pregnancy was 0.01, the number of alive children was 1.36, and the number of dead
children was 0.01. The average time of the last MS attack before the pregnancy was 21.36 months.
Fatigue (24.5%) was the most common symptom exacerbated during pregnancy. MS symptoms
improved in 55.0% of women in the second trimester.
CONCLUSIONS: MS had no effect on the pregnancy status, such as the number of abortions,
ectopic pregnancy, alive and dead children, and the duration of pregnancy. Symptoms of the disease
improved during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnancy has a protective role against MS.

Keywords

Health
multiple sclerosis
pregnancy
reproductive
women
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 11, Issue 5
June 2021
Pages 1-7

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