Principal Investigator

L.F. (Luis) Perez, MD PhD

PhD Student

Department
Rheumatology
Focus area
Reproductive rheumatology, Pregnancy and rheumatic disease,Male and female fertility in chronic disease, Sex and gender differences in RMDs, Hormonal regulation and immune-mediated inflammation, Patient-reported outcomes and registries.

External Profile

Home
Research
Researchers
L.F. (Luis) Perez, MD PhD

About L.F. (Luis) Perez, MD PhD

Introduction

Luis Fernando Perez is a rheumatologist and postdoctoral researcher at Erasmus MC, Rotterdam. His work focuses on the intersection of rheumatology and reproductive health, exploring how chronic inflammatory diseases affect fertility, pregnancy, and long-term outcomes. He combines clinical expertise with translational and epidemiological research to generate patient-centered solutions.
His long-term goal is to establish reproductive rheumatology as a recognized field, integrating women’s and men’s health, hormonal health, and life-course approaches into RMD care.

Field(s) of expertise

Luis Fernando studies how immune-mediated rheumatic diseases interact with reproductive health across the life course. His research ranges from translational biomarker studies (e.g., semen quality, hormonal dysregulation, multi-omics) to clinical and registry-based investigations of pregnancy outcomes, contraception, family planning, and menopause in RMDs. He collaborates internationally to translate scientific findings into patient-centered counselling, guidelines, and interventions.

Education and career

PhD, Erasmus MC (Department of Rheumatology) — thesis on reproductive rheumatology, male fertility, and sexual health in inflammatory arthritis.

Publications

Selected Publications

EULAR recommendations for use of antirheumatic drugs in reproduction, pregnancy, and lactation: 2024 update.Rüegg L, Pluma A, Hamroun S, Cecchi I, Perez-Garcia LF, Anderson PO, Andreoli L, … et al. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2025;84(6):910-926.

Antirheumatic drugs in reproduction, pregnancy, and lactation: a systematic literature review informing the 2024 update of the EULAR recommendations. Pluma A, Hamroun S, Rüegg L, Cecchi I, Kramer M, Perez-Garcia LF, Rivero T, Finckh A, Meissner Y, Förger F. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2025;84(9):1561-1590.

The effect of paternal exposure to immunosuppressive drugs on sexual function, reproductive hormones, fertility, pregnancy and offspring outcomes: a systematic review.Perez-Garcia LF, Dolhain RJEM, Vorstenbosch S, Bramer W, van Puijenbroek E, Hazes JMW, Te Winkel B. Human Reproduction Update.2020;26(6):961-1001.

Is methotrexate safe for men with an immune-mediated inflammatory disease and an active desire to become a father? Results of a prospective cohort study (iFAME-MTX).
Perez-Garcia LF, Dolhain RJEM, Roder E, Goekoop RJ, Kok MR, Smeele HTW, … et al.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2023;82(8):1068-1075.

Impaired fertility in men diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis: results of a large multicentre study (iFAME-Fertility).
Perez-Garcia LF, Röder E, Goekoop RJ, Hazes JMW, Kok MR, Smeele HTW, Tchetverikov I, van der Helm-van Mil AHM, van der Kaap JH, Kok P, Krijthe BP, Dolhain RJEM.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2021;80(12):1545-1552.

👉 For the full list of publications, see my Erasmus University Rotterdam Pure profile.

Teaching activities

Lecturer in reproductive rheumatology for rheumatology fellows and medical students.
Supervisor of PhD students in translational and clinical projects.
Guest lecturer at international rheumatology meetings (EULAR, Lupus Congress, RheumaPreg, BSR).

Other positions

EULAR education subcommittee.
Past chair EMEUNET education subcommittee.