Prenatal diethylstilbestrol exposure and self-reported immune-related diseases

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology 1998-04, Vol.77 (2), p.205-209
• Main Authors: Vingerhoets, A.J.J.M, Assies, J, Goodkin, K, Van Heck, G.L, Bekker, M.H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Autoimmune Diseases - epidemiology; Autoimmune Diseases - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Diethylstilbestrol - adverse effects; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity - epidemiology; Hypersensitivity - immunology; Immune System Diseases - chemically induced; Immune System Diseases - epidemiology; Immunity; Infection - epidemiology; Infection - immunology; Measles - epidemiology; Measles - immunology; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous (drug allergy, mutagens, teratogens...); Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pregnancy; Prenatal diethylstilbestrol exposure; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Risk Factors; Self-reported health status; Urinary Bladder Diseases - epidemiology; Urinary Bladder Diseases - immunology
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/S0301-2115(97)00274-1

Objective: To compare self-reports of immune-related diseases in diethylstilbestrol (DES) daughters and controls. Prenatal exposure to DES has been associated with several malformations in the lower genital tract, a higher prevalence of adenosis, and increased risk of clear cell adenocarcinoma, and estrogen-dependent tumors. Lately, reports have been published indicating a link between DES exposure and alterations in the immune system. The present study focuses on the possible clinical consequences of an affected immune system. Study design: DES daughters ( n=170) and control women ( n=123) completed questionnaires containing lists of immune-related diseases, specified into three categories (i) allergies, (ii) auto-immune disorders, and (iii) infectious diseases. Results: DES daughters reported significantly more disease conditions than the controls. Analyses for separate disease categories (allergies, auto-immune disorders, infectious disease), yielded a statistically significant difference only for infectious disease. Within this last category, two infectious diseases yielded highly significant differences: bladder infection and measles. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that DES daughters are at higher risk of developing immune-related disease states.