RHEUMATIC SYMPTOMS AND SEROLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES INDUCED BY ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

Abstract

Eight women, 21-29 years of age, noted rheumatic symptoms (or exacerbation of symptoms) during use of oral-contraceptive drugs. Six of these patients had episodes of thrombophlebitis before or during administration of these agents. In each case antinuclear antibodies were detected in serum during drug use and disappeared from serum in the five patients who permanently discontinued oral contraceptives. L.E. cells were detected in six patients while on therapy and disappeared in all but one case when the drug was withdrawn. Serum-IgM levels were elevated in five patients during drug use. IgG and IgA levels, rheumatoidfactor activity, and acute-phase proteins were not consistently affected by these agents. In four cases underlying rheumatic disease is suspected; two have Raynaud's disease and two have no laboratory or clinical evidence of disease. This preliminary study indicates that, in the evaluation of women suspected of having rheumatic disease, information on the use of oral contraceptives is required before clinical and laboratory findings can be interpreted.