J Korean Med Sci.  2016 May;31(5):729-734. 10.3346/jkms.2016.31.5.729.

Impact of Childbearing Decisions on Family Size of Korean Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• Kim IJ
• Kim HA
• Suh CH
• Park YW
• Lee HS
• Bang SY
• Bae SC
• Kang YM
• Lee WK
• Park H
• Lee J

• KMID: 2373670
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2016.31.5.729

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) predominantly affects women in their reproductive years and has a significant impact on childbearing. We investigated the influence of personal decision on family size among Korean women with SLE and factors that affect the decisions. A case-control study comparing childbearing history and decisions of 112 SLE patients and 135 controls was performed. Women with SLE participating in the Network for Lupus Clinical Research in South Korea and matching controls between ages of 18-45, who are/were married or living with a partner were included. Data regarding socio-demographics, reproductive history, and childbearing decisions were collected through a survey using a standardized questionnaire and medical record review. More women with SLE reported at least one pregnancy (85.7% vs. 71.9%, P = 0.009) or at least one live birth (85.7% vs. 71.9%, P = 0.003) compared with controls. Mean number of pregnancies was significantly higher (2.4 ± 1.6 vs. 1.4 ± 1.3, P < 0.001), and mean number of live births was significantly lower in women with SLE (1.2 ± 0.8 vs. 1.6 ± 0.8, P < 0.001). Significantly more women with SLE made the decision not to have children compared with controls (54.5% vs. 40.7%, P = 0.031), and health-related concerns were the major cause of the decision. Other socio-demographic factors did not influence the decision to limit childbearing in SLE women. The disease-related concerns had significant impact on family size and childbearing decisions among Korean women with SLE.

Keyword

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; Family Size; Childbearing Decisions; Korean

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Case-Control Studies
Demography
Family Characteristics
Female
Humans
Live Birth
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/*pathology/psychology
Odds Ratio
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications
Reproductive Behavior/*psychology
Republic of Korea
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tertiary Care Centers
Young Adult

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