Coverage and Drivers of Vaccinations in Patients with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases: An Italian Multicentric Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of infections due to immune dysregulation and immunosuppressive therapy. Vaccination is a cornerstone of infection prevention, but uptake is still inadequate.

Methods

We conducted an observational, multicenter study at four Italian rheumatology centers. Adult patients with RA or SLE on immunosuppressive therapy completed a standardized questionnaire assessing demographics, disease activity, treatments, vaccination status for influenza, pneumococcus, varicella-zoster virus [VZV], hepatitis B virus [HBV], human papillomavirus [HPV], adverse events, and reasons for or against vaccination.

Results

A total of 325 patie

SUBMITTER: Bellofatto IA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12737605 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature