Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRHa) in Ovarian Preservation in SLE Subjects Receiving Cyclophosphamide as Determined by Questionnaires

Study Summary

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease that affects females nine times more often than males. People with SLE are often treated with cyclophosphamide (CYC). But CYC can damage a woman s ovaries; it may cause infertility. A drug called GnRHa is sometimes given to protect the ovaries during CYC therapy. But no one really knows how effective GnRHa treatment is. This natural history survey will compare women who received GnRHa during CYC therapy with those who did not. Objective: To find out whether GnRHa can help protect women s ovaries during CYC. Eligibility: Women under age 40 years starting CYC treatment with or without GnRHa. Design: This study will do 2 things: It will conduct patient surveys. It will collect data from medical records. Participants will complete a one-time survey. They will answer questions about their menstrual cycle. They will be asked about their history of pregnancy or infertility. Participants can take the survey in 4 ways: On paper, sent through the mail. Online, in a secure web page managed by the NIH. By phone. In person, during a routine visit to the NIH clinic. The survey will take about 30 minutes. Participants medical records will be reviewed. Researchers will look for data about the participants SLE disease. This may include their symptoms and the results of their blood tests. It may also include the details of prior treatments. Researchers will also collect data about participants reproductive history. This may include their personal or family history of infertility. It may include any fertility treatments and any sexually transmitted infections.

Primary Outcome

The primary outcome variable is POI, and we want to determine whether GnRH-a coadministration with CYC protects against POI incidence in pre-menopausal SLE females. The age of menopause onset will be collected from previous medical records or survey responses and compared across all three groups. Onset of menopause prior to the age of 40 will be considered POI, whereas menopause onset beyond the age of 40 will be considered natural menopause.

Conditions Studied

Study Locations (1)