Prevalence of autoimmune conditions in pregnant women in a tertiary maternity hospital: A cross-sectional survey and maternity database review

Abstract

Background Autoimmune conditions are associated with adverse pregnancy and offspring outcomes; however, the prevalence in pregnant women is not well understood. Estimates based on administrative data alone may underestimate prevalence. Methods A cross-sectional survey of women attending a tertiary referral hospital for antenatal care in December 2018–February 2019 and review of the hospital’s maternity database of women giving birth from October 2017–June 2018 to estimate autoimmune disease prevalence. Results A total of 400 women completed surveys (78% response rate) and 41 (10.3%) reported an autoimmune disease, most commonly Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (2.8%) and psoriasis (2.5%). From the maternity database, 112 of 2756 women giving birth (4.1%) had a recorded autoimmune disease, most commonly Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (1.3%) followed by coeliac disease, Graves’ disease, and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (all 0.4%). Conclusion Autoimmune disease prevalence in pregnant women is higher when self-reported and may be more common than previously reported using administrative data.