Clinical characteristics and risk factors of ovarian reserve decreases in women with Crohn's disease: a case-control study

BackgroundCrohn's disease (CD), often occurring in women of child-bearing age, can decline the fertility rate. However, whether it reduces ovarian reserve has been rarely reported. This study aimed to evaluate the ovarian reserve in women with CD from the perspective of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), and explore the factors that can decrease ovarian reserve.MethodsA case-control retrospective study was designed. We analyzed the AMH levels in a total of 135 CD women and 878 healthy controls. Through propensity score matching, the subjects were assigned in a ratio of 1:3 to CD group (n = 121) and control group (n = 324). Both groups shared similar basic characteristics, like age, body mass index and smoking status. Serum AMH levels were measured by chemiluminescence.ResultsThe AMH level in the CD group was significantly lower than that in the control group (2.17 +/- 2.23 mu g/L vs 3.95 +/- 2.01 mu g/L, 95%CI [1.34-2.21], P < 0.001). In both groups, the AMH levels decreased as age increased, but without between-group difference in the decreasing rate (P = 0.639). Multivariate analysis showed that age > 30 years (OR, 2.905; 95%CI [1.053-8.531], P = 0.017), disease activity (OR,4.314; 95%CI [1.561-12.910], P = 0.002) and thalidomide use (OR,12.628; 95%CI [4.351 -42.820], P < 0.001) were independent risk factors associated with decreased ovarian reserve (AMH<1.1 mu g/L).ConclusionOvarian reserve is lower in CD women than in healthy women. Age, CD activity and medication of thalidomide are risk factors that can aggravate the decline of ovarian reserve.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the ovarian reserve in women with CD using AMH levels and identified age, CD activity, and thalidomide use as risk factors associated with decreased ovarian reserve. CD women have lower ovarian reserve compared to healthy women.