Patterns and factors associated with pneumococcal vaccination in a prospective cohort of 1,697 patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk for serious infections. Pneumococcal vaccination is among the most important preventive measures, however, vaccine uptake is suboptimal. We explored the rate and factors associated with pneumococcal vaccination in a contemporary RA cohort.

Materials and methods

Multi-center, prospective, RA cohort study in Greece. Patient and disease characteristics and influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations were documented at baseline and 3 years later.

Results

One thousand six hundred and ninety-seven patients were included and 34.5% had already received at least one pneumococcal vaccine at baseline. Among 1,111 non-vaccinated patients, 40.1% received pneumococcal vaccination during follow-up, increasing the vaccine coverage to 60.8%. By multivariate analysis, positive predictors for pneumococcal vaccination included prescription of influenza vaccine (OR = 33.35, 95% CI: 18.58-59.85), history of cancer (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.09-5.06), bDMARD use (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.29-2.65), seropositivity (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.05-2.05), and high disease activity (DAS28-ESR, OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.17-1.51). Male sex (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43-0.99) was a negative predictor for pneumococcal vaccination during follow-up.

Discussion

Despite increasing rates of pneumococcal vaccine coverage, 40% of RA patients remain unvaccinated. Severe disease, bDMARD use, comorbidities, and more importantly flu vaccination were the most significant factors associated with pneumococcal vaccination, emphasizing the currently unmet need for cultivating a "vaccination culture" in RA patients.

Incidence, risk factors and validation of the RABBIT score for serious infections in a cohort of 1557 patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Predicting serious infections (SI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is crucial for the implementation of appropriate preventive measures. Here we aimed to identify risk factors for SI and to validate the RA Observation of Biologic Therapy (RABBIT) risk score in real-life settings.

METHODS

A multi-centre, prospective, RA cohort study in Greece. Demographics, disease characteristics, treatments and comorbidities were documented at first evaluation and one year later. The incidence of SI was recorded and compared with the expected SI rate using the RABBIT risk score.

RESULTS

A total of 1557 RA patients were included. During follow-up, 38 SI were recorded [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 2.3/100 patient-years]. Patients who developed SI had longer disease duration, higher HAQ at first evaluation and were more likely to have a history of previous SI, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. By multivariate analysis, longer disease duration (IRR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.005, 1.1), history of previous SI (IRR: 4.15; 95% CI: 1.7, 10.1), diabetes (IRR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.06, 6.14), chronic lung disease (IRR: 3.14; 95% CI: 1.35, 7.27) and daily prednisolone dose ≥10 mg (IRR: 4.77; 95% CI: 1.47, 15.5) were independent risk factors for SI. Using the RABBIT risk score in 1359 patients, the expected SI incidence rate was 1.71/100 patient-years, not different from the observed (1.91/100 patient-years; P = 0.97).

CONCLUSION

In this large real-life, prospective study of RA patients, the incidence of SI was 2.3/100 patient-years. Longer disease duration, history of previous SI, comorbidities and high glucocorticoid dose were independently associated with SI. The RABBIT score accurately predicted SI in our cohort.

Treatment patterns and achievement of the treat-to-target goals in a real-life rheumatoid arthritis patient cohort: data from 1317 patients

Background

Data regarding the real-life predictors of low disease activity (LDA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are limited. Our aim was to evaluate the rate and predictors of LDA and treatment patterns in RA.

Methods

This was a multicenter, prospective, RA cohort study where patients were evaluated in two different time points approximately 12 months apart. Statistical analysis was performed in order to identify predictors of LDA while patterns of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug [DMARDs; conventional synthetic (csDMARD) or biologic (bDMARD)] and glucocorticoid (GC) use were also recorded.

Results

The total number of patients included was 1317 (79% females, mean age: 62.9 years, mean disease duration: 10.3 years). After 1 year, 57% had achieved LDA (DAS28ESR<3.2) while 43% did not (34%: moderate disease activity: DAS28ESR ⩾3.2 to <5.1, 9%: high disease activity, DAS28ESR ⩾5.1). By multivariate analysis, male sex was positively associated with LDA [odds ratio (OR) = 2.29 p < 0.001] whereas advanced age (OR = 0.98, p = 0.005), high Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score (OR = 0.57, p < 0.001), use of GCs (OR = 0.75, p = 0.037) or ⩾2 bDMARDs (OR = 0.61, p = 0.002), high co-morbidity index (OR = 0.86, p = 0.011) and obesity (OR = 0.62, p = 0.002) were negative predictors of LDA. During follow-up, among active patients (DAS28ESR >3.2), 21% initiated (among csDMARDs users) and 22% switched (among bDMARDs users) their bDMARDs.

Conclusion

In a real-life RA cohort, during 1 year of follow-up, 43% of patients do not reach treatment targets while only ~20% of those with active RA started or switched their bDMARDs. Male sex, younger age, lower HAQ, body mass index and co-morbidity index were independent factors associated with LDA while use of GCs or ⩾2 bDMARDs were negative predictors.

AB1201 INCREASING RATES OF INFLUENZA VACCINATION COVERAGE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS: DATA FROM A MULTICENTER, LONGITUDINAL COHORT STUDY OF 1,406 PATIENTS

Background:

Despite the increased incidence of influenza infection in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, vaccination coverage has been shown to be suboptimal. Prospective data regarding the current rate and predictors of influenza vaccination adherence in RA patients are limited.

Objectives:

To calculate the current rate and predictors of influenza vaccination in a real-life, prospective, longitudinal RA cohort.

Methods:

Data regarding demographics, disease characteristics, treatments and co-morbidities from a multi-center, longitudinal cohort of Greek RA patients were collected at baseline and ~ 3 years later. Disease and patient characteristics were compared between patients with at least one influenza vaccine administration and non-vaccinated ones, during the 3 year follow-up period.

Results:

From a cohort of 1,569 RA patients, 1,406 with available vaccination data at baseline and 3 years later (mean interval: 2.9 years) were included; (women: 80.4%, mean age: 61.8 years, mean disease duration: 9.7 years, RF and/or anti-CCP positive: 50.4%, mean DAS-28 = 3.33, mean HAQ: 0.44, bDMARD use: 44.8%). At baseline, 54.2% of patients reported influenza vaccination in the past (31.8% during the previous season), while during the 3 year follow-up period, 81% had ≥1 influenza vaccinations (p=<0.001). Patients who received ≥1 influenza vaccine were older (63.5 vs. 54.7 years, p<0.001), were more likely to be seropositive (59.2% vs. 45.2%, p<0.001), had higher HAQ (0.46 vs. 0.36, p=0.02) and BMI (27.7 vs. 26.9, p=0.02) at baseline, more likely to be treated with bDMARDs (46.8% vs. 36.4%, p<0.001) and more likely to have chronic lung disease (9.7% vs. 5.3%, p=0.02), dyslipidemia (36.4% vs. 24.2%, p<0.001), hypertension (46.1% vs. 29.2%, p<0.001) and to report vaccination against influenza the previous season before baseline evaluation (34.9% vs. 18.2%, p<0.001). By multivariate analysis, history of influenza vaccination during the last season before baseline (OR=1.87, CI: 1.27-2.74, p=0.001), bDMARD treatment (OR=1.51, CI: 1.07-2.13, p=0.018) and age (OR=1.05, CI: 1.04-1.06, p<0.001) were independent predictors of influenza vaccination.

Conclusion:

In this ongoing, longitudinal, prospective, real-life RA cohort study, a significant increase in the influenza vaccination coverage was noted (from 53% to 81%). Influenza vaccination was independently associated with recent history of influenza vaccination, older age, and bDMARD treatment.

Acknowledgments:

Supported by grants from the Greek Rheumatology Society and Professional Association of Rheumatologists.

Disclosure of Interests:

Konstantinos Thomas: None declared, Argyro Lazarini: None declared, Evripidis Kaltsonoudis: None declared, Alexandros Drosos: None declared, ARGYRO REPA: None declared, Prodromos Sidiropoulos: None declared, Kalliopi Fragkiadaki: None declared, Maria Tektonidou Grant/research support from: AbbVie, MSD, Novartis and Pfizer, Consultant of: AbbVie, MSD, Novartis and Pfizer, Petros Sfikakis Grant/research support from: Grant/research support from Abvie, Novartis, MSD, Actelion, Amgen, Pfizer, Janssen Pharmaceutical, UCB, Panagiota Tsatsani: None declared, Sousana Gazi: None declared, Pelagia Katsimbri: None declared, Dimitrios Boumpas: None declared, Evangelia Argyriou: None declared, Kyriaki Boki: None declared, Gerasimos Evangelatos: None declared, Alexios Iliopoulos: None declared, Konstantina Karagianni: None declared, Lazaros Sakkas: None declared, Konstantinos Melissaropoulos: None declared, Panagiotis Georgiou: None declared, Eleftheria Grika: None declared, PANAYIOTIS VLACHOYIANNOPOULOS: None declared, Theodoros Dimitroulas: None declared, Alexandros Garyfallos Grant/research support from: MSD, Aenorasis SA, Speakers bureau: MSD, Novartis, gsk, Constantinos Georganas: None declared, Periklis Vounotrypidis: None declared, Konstantinos Ntelis: None declared, Maria Areti: None declared, George D Kitas: None declared, Dimitrios Vassilopoulos: None declared

Multicenter Cross-sectional Study of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Greece: Results from a cohort of 2.491 patients

Aim of the study:

To evaluate the current disease characteristics, treatment and comorbidities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Greece.

Methods:

Multicenter, cross-sectional study with a 9-month recruitment period between 2015 and 2016. Demographics, disease characteristics, treatment and comorbidities were collected via a web-based platform.

Results:

2.491 RA patients were recruited: 96% from tertiary referral centers, 79% were females with a mean age of 63.1 years and disease duration of 9.9 years. Fifty-two percent were rheumatoid factor and/or anti-CCP positive, while 41% had erosive disease. Regarding treatment, 82% were on conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), 42% on biologic DMARDs (TNFi: 22%, non-TNFi: 20%) and 40% on corticosteroids (mean daily dose: 5.2 mg). Despite therapy, 36% of patients had moderate and 12% high disease activity. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (42%), hyperlipidemia (33%), osteoporosis (29%), diabetes mellitus (15%) and depression (12%). Latent tuberculosis infection (positive tuberculin skin test or interferon gamma release assay) was diagnosed in 13 and 15.3% of patients, respectively. Regarding chronic viral infections, 6.2% had history of herpes zoster while 2% and 0.7% had chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection, respectively. A history of serious infection was documented in 9.6%. Only 36% and 52% of the participants had ever been vaccinated against pneumococcus and influenza virus, respectively.

Conclusion:

This is one of the largest epidemiologic studies providing valuable data regarding the current RA characteristics in Greece. Half of patients were seropositive but despite therapy, half displayed residual disease activity, while preventive vaccination was limited.