Pregnancy is also safe for those with rheumatic diseases

Seven out of ten women affected by a rheumatological disease are trying to have a child, but 51% have not discussed this choice with their rheumatologist.

This is what emerged from a survey conducted on over 300 women of Anmar Onlus (National Association of Rheumatic Diseases) in collaboration with the Understanding Observatory, which also confirms how patients have strongly suffered the impact of the pandemic in care: almost 70% in the first phase of the pandemic it suspended visits.

In Italy alone, rheumatological diseases affect over 3 and a half million women.

"Many serious diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis - continues Mauro Galeazzi, scientific director of the CAPIRE Observatory and president emeritus of the Italian Society of Rheumatology (Sir) - arise in the middle of a woman's fertility period. The therapies available to us today are effective and have restored excellent prospects of life. However, they can have side effects on the reproductive system and therefore you must communicate your wishes to the treating specialist. The same applies to the choice of contraceptive methods that must necessarily be compatible with the treatments used ".

"Every day - says Silvia Tonolo, president of Anmar - we receive dozens of requests for information on this delicate aspect. Today motherhood is a possible opportunity and, in fact, 57% of interviewees have already had a pregnancy. At the same time, however, it is necessary to improve communication with the specialist doctor who must be informed about these choices ".

A second survey promoted by Anmar instead found that in the early stages of the Covid-19 emergency 69% of patients had to suspend visits with the specialist.

"Telemedicine - underlines Galeazzi - represents a possible solution but must not only contemplate tele-visits, but more generally the computerization of health services. Before the start of the boom in Coronavirus cases, only 16% of patients received for electronically binding or prescriptions provided by the therapeutic plan ".