Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination rates in patients treated with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive therapies for systemic autoimmune diseases: A cross-sectional study

The risk of developing severe complications from an influenza virus infection is increased in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis (PsO) and atopic dermatitis (AD). However, low influenza vaccination rates have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine vaccination rates in PsO compared to AD patients and explore patient perceptions of vaccination. A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed in 327 and 98 adult patients with PsO and AD, respectively. Data on vaccination, patient and disease characteristics, comorbidity, and patient perceptions was collected with a questionnaire. Medical records and vaccination certificates were reviewed. A total of 49.8% of PsO and 32.7% of AD patients were vaccinated at some point, while in season 2018/2019, 30.9% and 13.3% received an influenza vaccination, respectively. There were 96.6% and 77.6% of PsO and AD patients who had an indication for influenza vaccination due to age, immunosuppressive therapy, comorbidity, occupation, and/or pregnancy. Multivariate regression analysis revealed higher age (p < 0.001) and a history of bronchitis (p = 0.023) as significant predictors of influenza vaccination in PsO patients. Considering that most patients had an indication for influenza vaccination, the rate of vaccinated patients was inadequately low.

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Regional differences in general practitioners’ behaviours regarding influenza vaccination: a cross-sectional study

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06177-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan Arlt ◽

Kristina Flaegel ◽

Katja Goetz ◽

Jost Steinhaeuser

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Personal Characteristics ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Central Research Institute ◽

World Health ◽

Central Research ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Health Organization

Abstract Background The World Health Organization recommends vaccination rates of 75% against seasonal influenza for patients over 65 years old. In the 2013/2014 season, the German vaccination rates ranged between 14 and 65%. This study aimed to compare the attitudes, personal characteristics and vaccination behaviours of general practitioners (GPs) in regions with high and low vaccination rates in Germany. Methods In May 2016, a questionnaire was sent to 1594 GPs practising in 16 districts with the highest and the lowest vaccination rates in Western and Eastern Germany as described by the Central Research Institute of Ambulatory Health Care in Germany for the 2013/2014 season. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were computed to identify potential factors associated with high vaccination rates. Results A total response rate of 32% (515/1594 participants) was observed in the study. GPs reported their attitudes towards vaccination in general and vaccination against influenza as mostly ‘very positive’ (80%, n = 352 and 65%, n = 288, respectively). GPs practising in regions with low vaccination rates reported their attitudes towards vaccinations in general (p = 0.004) and towards influenza vaccination (p = 0.001) more negatively than their colleagues from regions with high vaccination rates. Multiple logistic regression identified an increasing influence of year-dependent changing efficiency on GPs’ influenza rates as the strongest factor for predicting GPs from highly vaccinating regions (OR = 4.31 [1.12–16.60]), followed by the patient’s vaccination refusal despite GP advice due to already receiving a vaccination from another physician (OR = 3.20 [1.89–5.43]) and vaccination information gathering through medical colleagues (OR = 2.26 [1.19–4.29]). Conclusions The results of this study suggest a correlation between GPs’ attitudes and regional vaccination rates. Beneath GPs’ individual attitudes, the regional attitude patterns of patients, colleagues and medical assistants surrounding those GPs seem decisive and should be integrated into future campaigns to increase vaccination rates at a regional level.

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Seasonal Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates Among Patients with Cancer in COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Oncological Sciences ◽

10.37047/jos.2021-83087 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 64-70

Author(s):

Emre YEKEDÜZ ◽

Elif Berna KÖKSOY ◽

Satı Coşkun YAZGAN ◽

Ilgın AKBIYIK ◽

Sevinç BALLI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Pneumococcal Vaccination ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Patients With Cancer

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POLYMORPHOUS LIGHT ERUPTION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM AND AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS – A COMPARATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

10.36106/gjra/2307284 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 3-5

Author(s):

Jerriton Brewin C ◽

Brinda G David ◽

Roshni Menon

Keyword(s):

Autoimmune Diseases ◽

Autoimmune Thyroiditis ◽

Positive Family History ◽

Thyroid Function Test ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Thyroid Peroxidase ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Polymorphous Light Eruption

BACKGROUND In many parts of the world, polymorphous light eruption (PLE) is the commonest cause of photosensitivity. Previous studies have suggested the association of PLE with multiple autoimmune diseases. Few studies are available suggesting the association of PLE with autoimmune thyroiditis. We have undertaken this study to conrm such an association and to predict which cases of PLE are likely to have hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study with comparative group with 75 PLE cases and 75 controls. Thyroid function test (TFT) was done for all subjects and, if found abnormal, anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies were tested. The studied parameters were compared using Pearson's chi-squared test for signicance. RESULTS The male to female ratio was 1:2.1. Hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis were signicantly present in PLE cases. PLE lesions with papular morphology, persistent and recurrent PLE, positive family history and associated other autoimmune diseases were signicantly associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. CONCLUSION PLE is signicantly associated with hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis. Hence we suggest screening of PLE patients for hypothyroidism and, if required, for autoimmune thyroiditis for early diagnosis and treatment.

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