Journal Article

Preconception Low-Dose Aspirin Restores Diminished Pregnancy and Live Birth Rates in Women With Low-Grade Inflammation: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial

Sjaarda, Lindsey A., Wactawski-Wende, Jean, Wilcox, Brian, Mumford, Sunni L., Mitchell, Emily, Perkins, Neil J., Galai, Noya, Silver, Robert M., Stanford, Joseph B., Radin, Rose G., Schisterman, Enrique F.

2017

Overview

Context:Inflammation is linked to causes of infertility. Low-dose aspirin (LDA) may improve reproductive success in women with chronic, low-grade inflammation.Objective:To investigate the effect of preconception-initiated LDA on pregnancy rate, pregnancy loss, live birth rate, and inflammation during pregnancy.Design:Stratified secondary analysis of a multicenter, block-randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Setting:Four US academic medical centers, 2007 to 2012.Participants:Healthy women aged 18 to 40 years (N = 1228) with one to two prior pregnancy losses actively attempting to conceive.Intervention:Preconception-initiated, daily LDA (81 mg) or matching placebo taken up to six menstrual cycles attempting pregnancy and through 36 weeks’ gestation in women who conceived.Main Outcome Measures:Confirmed pregnancy, live birth, and pregnancy loss were compared between LDA and placebo, stratified by tertile of preconception, preintervention serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (low, <0.70 mg/L; middle, 0.70 to <1.95 mg/L; high, ≥1.95 mg/L).Results:Live birth occurred in 55% of women overall. The lowest pregnancy and live birth rates occurred among the highest hsCRP tertile receiving placebo (44% live birth). LDA increased live birth among high-hsCRP women to 59% (relative risk, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.08 to 1.67), similar to rates in the lower and mid-CRP tertiles. LDA did not affect clinical pregnancy or live birth in the low (live birth: 59% LDA, 54% placebo) or midlevel hsCRP tertiles (live birth: 59% LDA, 59% placebo).Conclusions:In women attempting conception with elevated hsCRP and prior pregnancy loss, LDA may increase clinical pregnancy and live birth rates compared with women without inflammation and reduce hsCRP elevation during pregnancy.Preconception-initiated low-dose aspirin improved pregnancy and live birth rates among women with low-grade inflammation prior to pregnancy.

• Publisher: Endocrine Society,Oxford University Press
• Subject: Abortion, Spontaneous - epidemiology / Adult / Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - administration & dosage / Aspirin / Aspirin - administration & dosage / Birth / Birth Rate / Breeding success / C-reactive protein / C-Reactive Protein - immunology / Clinical s / Clinical trials / Double-Blind Method / Female / Gestation / Health risk assessment / Humans / Infertility / Inflammation / Inflammation - drug therapy / Inflammation - immunology / Live Birth - epidemiology / Menstruation / Placebos / Preconception Care - methods / Pregnancy / Pregnancy Outcome / Pregnancy Rate / Young Adult