Analysis of Rituximab Use, Time Between Rituximab and SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination, and COVID-19 Hospitalization or Death in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Rituximab and other B-cell-depleting therapies blunt humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, particularly when the vaccine is administered within 6 months of an infusion. Whether this translates into an increased risk of hospitalization or death from COVID-19 is unclear.

Objectives

To examine whether rituximab treatment is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 among SARS-CoV-2-vaccinated persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and whether delaying vaccination more than 6 months after rituximab treatment is associated with decreased risk.

Design, setting, and participants

This retrospective cohort study used Kaiser Permanente Southern California's electronic health record to identify individuals from January 1, 2020, to February 15

SUBMITTER: Smith JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9857265 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature