Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are at increased risk of infections, some of which could be prevented in part by vaccination (1). Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are recommended in RA (2). However, vaccination coverage of these patients remains very low. Five years ago, we found in a previous study that vaccination rates in France were 55% for pneumococcal and 60% for influenza vaccines (3).Objectives:The aim of our study was to evaluate the vaccination rate among RA patients, compare it with our previous results, and identify factors associated with non-vaccination.Methods:We conducted a cross sectional multicentric observational study in the rheumatology departments of 5 university hospitals in France. Data were collected from December 2018 to July 2019. Outpatients and hospitalized adult patients with RA according to the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria were included. Data were collected during a single visit through an anonymous questionnaire completed by the patients. Pearson Chi-squared analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to compare characteristics of vaccinated versus non vaccinated patients.Results:584 patients (77.9% of women, mean age 61.8±12.6 years old) were included. 81.7% were RF and/or ACPA positive, with a mean RA duration of 15.7±10.5 years, 58.2% were treated with methotrexate (MTX), and 68.6% with a biologic. Vaccination rate against pneumococcal was 78.9% (versus 55% in 2013, p<0.0001) and 60.4% for influenza (versus 60% in 2013). The main reason for non-vaccination was absence of vaccine proposal (59.2%) for pneumococcal, and fear of vaccines (56.7%) for influenza. In the multivariate analysis, a higher level of education (OR [CI95] 4.4 [2.3-8.4], p<0.0001), a very good opinion on vaccination (2.1 [1.1-4.1], p=0.003), vaccination against influenza done (2.3 {1.3-4.2], p=0.006), and exposure to biologics (4.0 [2.2-7.4], p<0.0001) were associated with vaccination against pneumococcal. Age over 65 years old (2.0 [1.2-3.2], p=0.006), participation in a patients’ association (3.6 [1.4-8.9], p=0.006), vaccination against pneumococcal done (2.4 [1.3-4.5], p=0.004), exposure to biologics (2.1 [1.2-3.7], p=0.006), a good (3.3 [1.4-8.9], p=0.03) and a very good opinion on vaccination (6.6 [2.8-15.6], p<0.0001) were associated with vaccination against influenza.Conclusion:Vaccination rate against pneumococcal increased over the last 5 years but remained stable for influenza vaccine in French RA patients. This could be improved with patient’s information and education, especially in patients age under 65, biologic naïve and with a bad opinion about vaccination.References:[1] Doran MF, Crowson CS et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2002 Sep;46(9):2287–93.[2]van Assen S, Agmon-Levin N et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011 Mar;70(3):414–22.[3] Hua C, Morel J et al. Rheumatol Oxf Engl. 2015 Apr;54(4):748–50.Disclosure of Interests:Claire Rempenault: None declared, Thomas Barnetche: None declared, Marion Magnol: None declared, Benjamin Castagne: None declared, marine pugibet: None declared, Eleonore Berard: None declared, Marie-Elise Truchetet: None declared, Pascale Vergne-Salle: None declared, Anne Tournadre: None declared, Adeline Ruyssen-Witrand Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Pfizer, Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Lilly, Mylan, Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, Sanofi-Genzyme, Cédric Lukas: None declared
Relationship between beliefs about medicines, adherence to treatment, and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis under subcutaneous anti-TNFα therapy