Obstacles and motivations to influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A qualitative study. Comment on: “Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination rates in patients treated with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive therapies for systemic auto-immune diseases: A cross-sectional study” by Assala et al., Joint Bone Spine 2017;84:365–6

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is commonly involved in various immune-mediated rheumatic disorders accounting for significant disability and impaired quality of life. The aim of our study was to assess inflammatory and immune parameters in patients with TMJ arthritis related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to identify potential relation with severity and dysfunction of TMJ pathology. We performed a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 433 consecutive RA, 32 JIA, 258 AS, and 103 PsA. Only patients presenting with clinically significant TMJ involvement (273) related to their rheumatic condition were included in the final analysis. TMJ involvement is traditionally described in chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders, particularly in patients with higher levels of inflammation as detected in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Disease activity and severity, as well as biological and positive serological assessments (rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, IL-1) remain significant determinants of the severity of TMJ arthritis.

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Influenza Vaccination in Psoriatic Patients—Epidemiology and Patient Perceptions: A German Multicenter Study (Vac-Pso)

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9080843 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 843

Author(s):

Christian Kromer ◽

Phoebe Wellmann ◽

Ralf Siemer ◽

Selina Klein ◽

Johannes Mohr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Influenza Virus Infection ◽

Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Patient Perceptions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Disease Characteristics ◽

History Of

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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