Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39880419›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Sexual and reproductive health from the perspective of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases in Mexico: a qualitative study.

Cassandra Michelle Skinner-Taylor, Lorena Perez-Barbosa, Abraham Yair Lujano-Negrete, Fanny Arévalo-Nieto, Maria Eugenia Corral-Trujillo, Andrea Aguilar-Leal, Génesis Guadalupe Sandoval-Torres, Cecilia Rodríguez-Ruiz, Melanie Gabriela Rios-Medina, Amaranta Manrique de Lara and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Cassandra Michelle Skinner-TaylorRheumatology, Hospital Universitario. Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Mexico.
Lorena Perez-BarbosaRheumatology, Hospital Universitario. Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Mexico.
Abraham Yair Lujano-NegreteHospital Universitario. Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Mexico.
Fanny Arévalo-NietoHospital Universitario. Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Mexico.
Maria Eugenia Corral-TrujilloHospital Universitario. Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Mexico.
Andrea Aguilar-LealHospital Universitario. Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Mexico.
Génesis Guadalupe Sandoval-TorresHospital Universitario. Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Mexico.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-3600-9313
Cecilia Rodríguez-RuizHospital Universitario. Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Mexico.
Melanie Gabriela Rios-MedinaHospital Universitario. Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Mexico.
Amaranta Manrique de LaraRheumatology, Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Mexico City, Mexico.
Dionicio Angel Galarza-DelgadoRheumatology, Hospital Universitario. Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Mexico.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9714-2109
Ingris Pelaez-BallestasRheumatology, Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Mexico City, Mexico pelaezin@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5188-7375

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo explore the experiences and perspectives of female patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) regarding sexual and reproductive health, including contraception, family planning, and pregnancy.

designQualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews.

settingSpecialised rheumatology clinic in a tertiary hospital in Monterrey, Mexico.

participants21 female patients aged 18-49 with a confirmed ARD diagnosis who were receiving care at the clinic. Participants were selected using convenience sampling, ensuring diversity in age, disease type and stage, socio-economic and cultural background, sexuality and disability status. All participants completed the study.

resultsFour main themes emerged from the analysis. First, participants expressed confusion and concern about the safety and effectiveness of contraceptive methods in the context of their disease and treatment. Second, many participants shared anxiety about infertility, heredity and the risks of pregnancy associated with their ARDs, leading to uncertainty in pregnancy planning. Third, there was concern about the safety of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding, indicating a lack of guidance and information from healthcare providers. Lastly, patients often deferred decision-making about contraception and medication to their rheumatologists but recognised the importance of a multidisciplinary care approach for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health management.

conclusionsThe study revealed that women with ARDs experience significant challenges and unmet needs related to sexual and reproductive health, particularly in understanding safe contraception, pregnancy planning and medication use during pregnancy and lactation. These findings emphasise the need for rheumatologists to provide clearer guidance on these issues and collaborate closely with gynaecologists and other specialists to ensure comprehensive, patient-centred care. Enhancing communication and education strategies in rheumatology consultations could address these gaps and improve the sexual and reproductive health outcomes and decision-making processes of women with ARDs.

Indexed as

Autoimmune DiseasesReproductive HealthRheumatic DiseasesSexual HealthAdolescentAdultContraceptionFamily Planning ServicesFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMexicoMiddle AgedPregnancyQualitative ResearchYoung AdultLatin AmericaQualitative researchReproductive MedicineRheumatology

Identifiers

PMID39880419
PMCPMC11781148

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.