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- Title
Family Planning for People with Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia: an Expert Consensus.
- Authors
Al Jumah, Mohammed; Al Malik, Yaser; AlKhawajah, Nuha M.; Saeedi, Jameelah; AlThubaiti, Ibtisam; Bohlega, Saeed; Bunyan, Reem F.; Cupler, Edward J.; ElBoghdady, Ahmed; Hassan, Ahmed; Ali, Eman Nassim; Clerico, Marinella
- Abstract
More than half of all patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are women of childbearing age. Raising a family is an important life goal for women in our region of the world. However, fears and misconceptions about the clinical course of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and the effects of disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) on the foetus have led many women to reduce their expectations of raising a family, sometimes even to the point of avoiding pregnancy altogether. The increase in the number of DMDs available to manage RRMS and recent studies on their effects in pregnancy have broadened management options for these women. Interferon beta now has an indication in Europe for use during pregnancy (according to clinical need) and can be used during breastfeeding. Glatiramer acetate is a further possible option for women with lower levels of RRMS disease activity who are, or about to become, pregnant; natalizumab may be used up to 30 weeks in patients with higher levels of disease activity. Where possible, physicians need to support and encourage women to pursue their dream of a fulfilling family life, supported where necessary by active interventions for RRMS that are increasingly evidence based.
- Subjects
SAUDI Arabia; MULTIPLE sclerosis; FAMILY planning; GLATIRAMER acetate; CHILDBEARING age; GOAL (Psychology)
- Publication
Multiple Sclerosis International, 2021, p1
- ISSN
2090-2654
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1155/2021/6667006