Updates on COVID-19 vaccines in patients with rheumatic disease

Rituximab is associated with severely impaired immunogenicity of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine in autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs). Glucocorticoids, abatacept, mycophenolate mofetil, and methotrexate also undermine the immunogenicity of this vaccine in this population [1]. A second study demonstrated that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and well tolerated in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) [2].

Evidence on the efficacy and safety of mRNA vaccines in patients with AIIRDs is limited. In a prospective, observational, open-label, controlled multicentre study –presented by Dr Victoria Furer (Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel)– immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine were investigated in an adult AIIRD population (n=686, mean age 59 years) 2–6 weeks after the second vaccine dose was administered [1]. The vast majority (95.2%) were treated with immunosuppressants. The control group consisted of 121 healthy individuals 2–6 weeks after the second vaccine dose. A value of >15 binding antibody units (BAUs) was considered as a cut-off for seropositivity.

The seropositivity rate was 86% in the AIIRD group versus 100% in the control group. Patients treated with rituximab had the lowest seropositivity rates: 41.4% (OR 0.131; 95% CI 0.07–0.242; P<0.0001). The period between the most recent pre-vaccination administration of rituximab and time of vaccination had a significant effect on the immunogenicity of the vaccine. Seropositivity rate depended on the time of vaccination after the rituximab treatment and was 1.15% at 90 days, 18.39% at 180 days, and 52.18% at 365 days (see Figure).

Figure: The interval between the last administration of rituximab and time of vaccination is associated with seropositivity rate [1]



Other DMARDs that were associated with reduced seropositivity rates were glucocorticoids (66.2%), abatacept (62.5%), mycophenolate mofetil (64.3%), and to a lesser extent methotrexate (84.1%) (see Table). In addition, lower seropositivity rates were more often observed in patients >65 years (79.3%; OR 0.429; P=0.0027) and for certain AIIRD diagnoses: rheumatoid arthritis 82.1% (OR 0.305; P=0.01), idiopathic inflammatory myopathies 36.8% (OR 0.063; P=0.0002), and ANCA-associated vasculitis 30.8% (OR 0.043; P<0.0001).

Table: Seropositivity rates for different DMARDs [1]



Disease activity remained stable after vaccination for most AIIRD patients. One AIIRD patient died 2 weeks after vaccination, and 1 control subject had a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and fully recovered. Mild AEs after vaccination were comparable in all patient groups. Some cases of herpes zoster (n=6), uveitis (n=2), herpes labialis (n=1), and pericarditis (n=1) were reported in the AIIRD population. Dr Furer argued that, to improve the immunogenicity of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, postponing treatment with rituximab or holding treatment with mycophenolate mofetil or abatacept should be considered.

A related study, presented by Dr Pedro Machado (University College London, UK) analysed safety data of COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer BioNTech 78%, Moderna 5%, AstraZeneca 16%, other 1%) used in RMD patients (n=1,519; mean age 63; 68% women) from the COVAX registry [2]. The diagnostic groups consisted of inflammatory joint diseases (51%), connective tissue diseases (19%), vasculitis (16%), other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (4%), and non-inflammatory RMDs (9%). All patients had received at least 1 dose of vaccine; 66% were fully vaccinated.

The results demonstrated that the safety profile of the vaccines among patients with RMD was similar to that of the general population. Following vaccination, disease flares were reported in 5% of the patients with inflammatory RMDs. AEs occurred in 31% of the patients. Pain at the injection site (19%), fatigue (11%), headache (7%), and generalised muscle pain (6%) were the most common AEs. Systemic or organ side effects were reported in 33 cases. These AEs were diverse and mostly mild or moderate. Severe AEs were reported in 2 cases: 1 case of transient hemiparesis in a patient with systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and a case of giant cell arteritis in an elderly patient with osteoarthritis. Dr Machado concluded that the safety profiles of COVID-19 vaccines for RMD patients were reassuring.

1. Furer V, et al. Immunogenicity and safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) compared to the general population: a multicenter study. LB0003, EULAR 2021 Virtual Congress, 2–5 June.
2. Machado PM, et al. COVID-19 vaccine safety in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease. LB0002, EULAR 2021 Virtual Congress, 2–5 June.

 

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Posted on 2 August 202123 April 2024