Reasons for non-vaccination in French rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis patients

Abstract

Sir, Patients with inflammatory arthritis are at increased risk of infections, some of which could be prevented in part by vaccines [1, 2]. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are recommended in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases [3]. However, vaccination coverage of these patients remains very low [4–6]. Limited data on French vaccine coverage are available, especially since new recommendations for vaccination have been developed [3]. We describe our experience in a population of French patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (RA and SpA). A standardized questionnaire collecting information on vaccination status and reasons for non-vaccination was delivered to RA and SpA patients seen consecutively between December 2012 and December 2013 in the rheumatology departments of four teaching hospitals (Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Limoges and Montpellier). Participants were asked for consent to review their electronic medical records. Ethical approval was not required for this audit and was not obtained. We collected data from 457 patients, 268 with RA and 189 with SpA. Among RA patients, 89% (n = 239) had received at least one biologic treatment. Among SpA patients, 87.8% (n = 166) had received at least one anti-TNF-α treatment. There was no difference regarding patient demographics across the four centres. Pneumococcal vaccination was received by 53% (n = 142) of RA patients and 54.5% (n = 103) of SpA patients. Influenza vaccine had been administered to 59.7% (n = 160) of RA patients and 47.1% (n = 89) of SpA patients.

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