Objectives: To evaluate the use of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), specifically tacrolimus, in unplanned pregnancies with active lupus disease among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Materials and methods: The study includes data from pregnancies in women diagnosed with SLE at Gazi University Hospital in Ankara, Türkiye, between January 2010 and July 2022. The study categorized pregnancies into planned and unplanned groups based on lupus nephritis presence, emphasizing the need for inactive lupus disease for at least 6 months before attempting conception in planned pregnancies. The outcomes of pregnancies involving CNIs, particularly tacrolimus, were assessed.
Results: In our cohort comprising 632 SLE patients, 39 individuals reported 42 pregnancies. Among the 42 pregnancies, 14 have a history of lupus nephritis. We observed that 8 of 14 patients with a history of lupus nephritis had unplanned pregnancies. Three patients used cyclosporine and 2 used tacrolimus during their pregnancy; their pregnancies were completely healthy, and no lupus flare was observed during their pregnancies. The pregnancy of 2 patients who used azathioprine and 1 last patient who used no immunosuppressive treatment ended in abortion.
Conclusion: This study reveals that tacrolimus can be effectively used in unplanned pregnancies with active lupus disease, providing favorable maternal and fetal outcomes. The findings emphasize the importance of considering CNIs, particularly tacrolimus, in the management of SLE pregnancies, even in cases of unplanned pregnancies with a history of lupus nephritis.