Pregnancy outcomes in Chinese women with ulcerative colitis: A retrospective study of 23 pregnancies

Background: Although China has a large population and increasing incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC), data on pregnancy outcomes in women with UC are insufficient and the relationship between simple clinical colitis activity index (SCCAI) and pregnancy outcomes has rarely been studied. This retrospective study aimed to assess the relationship between SCCAI and pregnancy outcomes of Chinese women with UC and explore factors affecting pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Overall, 23 pregnancies of 18 patients with UC were included. The following factors were analyzed: SCCAI before and during pregnancy; basic conditions, comorbidities, and treatment before and during pregnancy; frequency and details of pregnancy-related complications; and mode of delivery. Clinical characteristics, disease condition, and treatment details were compared between patients with and without adverse pregnancy outcomes. Results: The SCCAI was significantly lower in the remission group than in the active group (P < 0.001), except in the second trimester, but no significant difference in recurrence/exacerbation rate was found. There were 18 live births (remission group, 15; active group 3; P > 0.05). No significant difference in the frequency and characteristics of pregnancy-related complications was noted between the two groups. Outcomes of 15 pregnancies were satisfactory, but the other eight cases had adverse pregnancy outcomes. Patients with adverse pregnancy outcomes had higher SCCAI in the second trimester than the patients without adverse outcomes (P = 0.034). Multivariate analysis showed no statistically significant risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion: Chinese women with UC can usually achieve favorable pregnancy outcomes under multidisciplinary management, and a higher SCCAI in the second trimester has a positive correlation with adverse pregnancy outcomes.