Vaccination status against influenza, pneumococcus, and herpes zoster in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis

Autores: Florencia Valdez Donelli, Tatiana Barbich, Alejandro Ezquer, Andrea Bravo, Carla Lallopizzo, Camila Reyes Gómez, Emilce Schneeberger, Gustavo Citera

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Introduction:
Vaccination prevents infections by improving immunity.

Objectives:
To evaluate the prevalence of influenza, pneumococcal, and herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination coverage in a cohort of patients with RA and SpA, and to estimate the prevalence of HZ episodes and their complications.

Material and methods:
A retrospective, cross-sectional observational study was conducted from March to July 2023 at a single center. Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of RA according to ACR-EULAR 2010 criteria and patients with SpA according to CASPAR criteria for PsA or ASAS 2009 for axial SpA were included. Data on vaccination (influenza, pneumococcal and HZ) and history of varicella zoster virus (VZV) and HZ infection were recorded.

Results:
90 patients were included. 81.1% reported a history of VZV infection and 22.2 of HZ infection. 88.9% received at least one dose of influenza vaccine. 82.2% received a dose with PCV13 and 58.9% with PPSV23. No patient was vaccinated against HZ (in 100% of cases due to lack of indication). Those patients who had received the influenza vaccine for 5 consecutive years and the PPSV23 vaccine were more frequently women of older age.

Conclusions:
Being female and being older were significantly associated with greater vaccination coverage for influenza and PPSV23. The prevalence of HZ was similar to the general population and no patient had received vaccination for HZ.