Pregnancy and Rheumatic Disease: Experience at a Single Center in New York City During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Barbhaiya, Medha; Stamm, Bessie; Vitone, Gregory; Frey, Marianna B; Jannat-Khah, Deanna; Levine, Jonah; Vega, JoAnn; Feldman, Candace H; Salmon, Jane E; Crow, Mary K; Bykerk, Vivian; Lockshin, Michael D; Sammaritano, Lisa; Mandl, Lisa A

OBJECTIVE We evaluated the pregnancy experience of women receiving care in the Division of Rheumatology at a major academic center in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A web-based COVID-19 survey was emailed to 26,045 patients followed in the Division of Rheumatology at a single center in New York City. Women aged 18 to 50 were asked about pregnancy. We compared the COVID-19 experience between pregnant and non-pregnant women, and also explored the impact of the pandemic on prenatal care and perinatal outcomes. RESULTS Of 7,094/26,045 respondents, 1,547 were women aged 18 to 50, with 61 (4%) reporting being pregnant during the pandemic. The prevalence of self-reported COVID-19 was similar in pregnant and non-pregnant women (8% vs.9% respectively, p=0.76). Among women with COVID-19, pregnant women had shorter duration of symptoms (p <0.01) and were more likely to experience loss of smell or taste (p=0.02) than non-pregnant women. Approximately three-fourths of women had a systemic rheumatic disease, with no differences when stratified by pregnancy or COVID-19 status. 67% of pregnant women noted changes to prenatal care during the pandemic, and 23% of postpartum women stated the pandemic affected delivery. CONCLUSION Among women followed in the Division of Rheumatology at a major center in New York City, pregnancy was not associated with increased self-reported COVID-19. Pregnancy was associated with a shorter duration of COVID-19 symptoms and a higher prevalence of loss of smell or taste. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted pre-natal care for the majority of pregnant patients.