Session Information
Session Type: Poster Session A
Session Time: 10:30AM-12:30PM
Background/Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened concerns regarding the susceptibility of immunocompromised patients, particularly those with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Early recommendations from the Moroccan Society of Rheumatology endorsed COVID-19 vaccination for this vulnerable group. However, understanding the determinants influencing vaccination decisions among RA patients is crucial. This study aims to assess COVID-19 vaccination rates in RA patients and identify associated factors with non-vaccination to inform targeted vaccination strategies tailored to this specific population.
Objectives: To evaluate COVID-19 vaccination rates in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, identifying factors influencing non-vaccination to guide optimized immunization uptake strategies in this vulnerable cohort.
Methods: This monocentric cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2022 to January 2023, involving adult patients meeting the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria for RA. Sociodemographic data, COVID-19 vaccination status, and RA characteristics were collected via physician-administered questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between RA characteristics and COVID-19 vaccination status. Statistical analyses were performed using JAMOVI software.
Results: A total of 200 patients were included, predominantly female (81.5%) with a mean age of 56 ± 10.8 years. The average disease duration was 8.4 ± 7.29 years. Among the patients, 169 (84.9%) received COVID-19 vaccination. Among those unvaccinated, 83.3% (25) were female (p = 0.76), with a mean age of 43 ± 5.73 years (p = 0.51). COVID-19 vaccination status correlated significantly with RA duration (OR = 1.03 per additional year of disease duration, p = 0.03), disease activity assessed by DAS28-CRP (OR = 0.66 per unit increase in DAS28-CRP, p = 0.03), and use of biologic therapies (OR = 1.23, p = 0.03).
Conclusion: These findings emphasize the necessity of tailored vaccination strategies for this high-risk population. Future guidelines should integrate these factors to enhance protection for patients with RA, thereby contributing to broader efforts in controlling viral transmission.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Elhani H, majjad a, Taoubane L, Elouardi N, Toufik H, BEZZA A. Unlocking COVID-19 Vaccination Choices in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Insights from a Monocentric Study [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2024; 76 (suppl 9). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/unlocking-covid-19-vaccination-choices-in-rheumatoid-arthritis-insights-from-a-monocentric-study/. Accessed .« Back to ACR Convergence 2024
ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/unlocking-covid-19-vaccination-choices-in-rheumatoid-arthritis-insights-from-a-monocentric-study/