SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Pregnant women with psoriasis may be at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, according to research just published in the British Journal of Dermatology.
The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) Autoimmune Diseases in Pregnancy Project compared the prevalence of selected risk factors between 170 pregnant women with psoriasis and 158 non-diseased pregnant women. The research study was coordinated at the University of California, San Diego.
“What we found was women with psoriasis were more likely to be overweight or obese before becoming pregnant,” said Dr. Christina Chambers, an epidemiologist with a special focus in the areas of birth defects who also serves as program director of the CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line, the California affiliate of OTIS, and associate professor of Pediatrics at UCSD. “We also found they were more likely to smoke, have a diagnosis of depression, and were less likely to have been taking the recommended prenatal vitamin supplement,” she added.
Researchers involved with the study concluded that pregnant women with psoriasis might be at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes due to health behaviors associated with the disease, such as obesity and smoking. “These findings are not only important for a pregnant woman with psoriasis to be aware of, but also for health physicians who should take these risk factors into consideration during the treatment of a psoriasis sufferer of childbearing age,” explained Dr. Chambers.
For more information on psoriasis: http://www.otispregnancy.org/autoimmune-studies-s13049
OTIS is a North American non-profit dedicated to providing accurate evidence-based, clinical information to patients and health care professionals about exposures during pregnancy and lactation through its toll-free (866) 626-6847 hotline and website, www.otispregnancy.org. Nearly 100,000 women seek information about birth defect prevention from OTIS every year.
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OTIS is now recruiting for Vaccines and Medications in Pregnancy Surveillance System (VAMPSS). If you have received the H1N1 vaccine, seasonal flu vaccine, used asthma medications, or taken an antiviral medication, and you are pregnant , you may be eligible to participate. The purpose of the Vaccine and Medications in Pregnancy and Surveillance System is to learn more about influenza vaccines and antiviral medication use in pregnancy.
Who is conducting the research study…
The Vaccines and Medications in Pregnancy Surveillance System (VAMPSS) is a collaborative study conducted by OTIS and coordinated at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
What kind of research is it…
This is an observational research study. “Observational” means that the researches follow you through your pregnancy. You are not asked to take any medications or undergo any invasive procedures. You will be asked questions about your pregnancy, your health history, and the birth of your child.
What will I be asked to do if I participate…
If you agree to participate in the study, you will be interviewed by telephone on one to three occasions during pregnancy and once after delivery. You will also be asked to release copies of medical records related to your pregnancy. You may be offered a free, non-invasive pediatric exam by one of our study physicians who will travel to your area to conduct the exam. You will not be asked to take any medications nor will you be asked to stop taking any medications.
What are my rights if I participate…
Participation in this research study is voluntary. Information about your participation will be kept confidential, and you will be informed about the final results of the research.
If you are interested in learning more about this study, or to participate, please call our toll-free number: 1-877-311-8972 or send an email to: raandpregnancy@ucsd.edu
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