Catch me if you can: a national survey of rheumatologists and obstetricians on the use of DMARDs during pregnancy.

The use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biological therapy is variable throughout pregnancy. This questionnaire-based study was undertaken to explore and compare the current practice amongst rheumatologists and obstetricians across the UK, regarding the use of drugs during pregnancy. A questionnaire was devised to address issues regarding individual drugs used during preconception, pregnancy and lactation. Members of the British Society of Rheumatology, Midlands Rheumatology Society and the British Maternal Fetal Medicine Society were emailed. Results were analysed by the online survey software and Fisher's exact testing. Our results show differences between rheumatologists and obstetricians. A total of 500 members of each society were emailed. There were 102 (20 %) versus 33 (7 %) respondents. With regard to medication, in relation to advice given before conception, hydroxychloroquine 80 versus 61 % continue, 19 versus 15 % discontinue (p = 1.0); sulphasalazine 59 versus 70 % continue, 41 versus 6 % discontinue (p = 0.002); azathioprine 62 versus 58 % continue, 36 versus 21 % discontinue (p = 0.37); methotrexate 0 versus 3 % continue, 100 versus 76 % discontinue (p = 0.2); leflunomide 0 versus 0 % continue, 98 versus 42 % discontinue (p = 1.0); anti-TNF therapy 7 versus 15 % continue, 54 versus 54 % discontinue (p = 0.05); and rituximab 2 versus 12 % continue, 95 versus 52 % (p = 0.01) would discontinue prior to conception. This survey is the first of its nature amongst rheumatologists and obstetricians. Most would give advice to continue with sulphasalazine, azathioprine and stop methotrexate and leflunomide. We observed no uniform practice and therefore recommend guidelines.