Speakers to Examine Pregnancy Termination and LGBTQ+ Care for Patients with Rheumatic Disease

Reproductive health considerations pose distinct challenges for patients with rheumatic diseases. Further, LGBTQ+ patients, particularly transgender and gender-diverse individuals, often face unique challenges, discrimination, and disparities in healthcare, including in the management of rheumatic diseases. Increased awareness of these issues will improve the care of individuals with rheumatic diseases.

Navigating Complexities of Pregnancy Termination and LGBTQ+ Care for Patients With Rheumatic Diseases will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 9:30–10:30 a.m. ET in Room 145AB of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The session will be available on demand within 48 hours for registered ACR Convergence 2024 participants.

Bonnie Bermas, MD, the Dr. Morris Ziff Distinguished Professor in Rheumatology at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, will discuss medical, ethical, and legal implications for pregnancy termination in individuals with rheumatic diseases.

“The current legal landscape makes issues regarding family planning for our patients crucial. Our patients are frequently treated with teratogenic medications. Outcomes for pregnancies are better if disease is under good control. Nearly half of pregnancies in our rheumatic disease patients are unplanned, and this contributes to high-risk pregnancies,” Dr. Bermas said.

Kristen Mathias, MD, post-doctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins Hospital, will discuss how the new legal landscape impacts LGBTQ+ patient care and will provide important considerations for delivering optimal care to this population. She also will discuss current research as well as the significant knowledge gaps surrounding gender-affirming hormonal therapy in transgender and gender-diverse individuals with rheumatic disease.

“Hormonal therapies — whether for menopause, gender-affirming care, or other conditions — can have a complex interplay with the immune system,” she said. “In transgender and gender-diverse individuals, discussion of these complexities should also take into consideration the transformative and life-saving potential these therapies have in this population.”

The data and insights presented in the session will apply to rheumatologists, endocrinologists, and other healthcare providers involved in the management of rheumatic diseases who care for LGBTQ+ patients and individuals of childbearing age.