A Johns Hopkins-led team has recently released new data underscoring the critical need for greater understanding of the impact of systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on adverse pregnancy outcomes, as well as the specific risk factors driving risky outcomes. The study focused on the role of 25-hydroxy vitamin D insufficiency and Body Mass Index (BMI), revealing that the existence of a U-shaped curve association between vitamin D level and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Those with a maternal serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level of 40-59 ng/dL had the lowest prevalence of negative pregnancy outcomes.
Despite its extensive examination for potential medical applications, there is still significant interest in exploring the role of serum vitamin D levels on outcomes in various conditions, as evidenced by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine study. Led by Michelle Petri, MD, MPH, professor of Medicine and director of the Lupus Center, investigators analyzed data from a cohort of 2000 SLE patients and identified 270 pregnancies with serum vitamin D levels available. The results revealed a U-shaped curve association between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level and adverse pregnancy outcomes in SLE.
This study highlights the need for more targeted interventions to prevent negative pregnancy outcomes in patients with SLE. The results underscore the importance of monitoring 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels before and during SLE pregnancies. The study was presented at the Congress of Clinical Rheumatology (CCR) East 2023 Annual Meeting.
