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The impact of autoimmune systemic inflammation and associated medications on male reproductive health in patients with chronic rheumatological, dermatological, and gastroenterological diseases: A systematic review
Author(s) -
Finelli Renata,
Leisegang Kristian,
Finocchi Federica,
De Masi Salvatore,
Agarwal Ashok,
Damiani Giovanni
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.13389
Subject(s) - medicine , psoriatic arthritis , rheumatoid arthritis , ankylosing spondylitis , psoriasis , population , alopecia areata , immunology , dermatomyositis , environmental health
Autoimmune disorders currently affect 5%‐8% of the global population, characterized by an aberrant chronic inflammatory response to self‐antigens. The aim of this study was to systematically review the current available evidence investigating the impact of systemic autoimmune diseases and associated immunosuppressive treatment on fertility parameters of adult men. Clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports written in English and reporting semen analysis, evaluation of seminal oxidative stress, and/or sperm DNA fragmentation in patients affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, uveitis, dermatomyositis, and rheumatoid arthritis were collected by searching on PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases, with no limit of time. The study quality and the extent of bias in design, methods, and outcome assessment were evaluated by applying the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools. Evidence suggested that various autoimmune diseases or relevant medications can adversely affect male fertility parameters and that patients may benefit of counseling and sperm cryopreservation. Clinical trials further investigating any adverse effect of autoimmunity and related thereby on male infertility are warranted, to develop appropriate guidelines for males diagnosed and treated for autoimmune disorders.