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Background: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant and breastfeeding women with autoimmune diseases (AID) is often attributed to the fear of adverse events (AE) and disease flares (DF). No data are available regarding COVID-19 vaccine safety in this population. Objectives: We aimed at describing delayed-onset (>7 days) vaccine-related AE (minor and major), DF, and related AID treatment modifications from the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) study. Methods: Among complete responses from 9201 participants as of June 21, 2022, 6787 (73.8%) were women. Six subgroups were identified upon diagnosis of AID vs healthy controls (HC) and their pregnancy/breastfeeding status at the time of any dose of vaccine (Figure 1). Results: Forty pregnant and 52 breastfeeding AID patients were identified and their vaccination rates (at least one dose) was 100% and 96.2%, respectively (Table 1). Overall AE, minor AE, and major AE were reported significantly more frequently by pregnant than non-pregnant patients (45% vs. 26%, p=0.01; 40% vs. 25.9%, p=0.03; 17.5% vs. 4.6%, p<0.01), but no difference was found in comparison with pregnant HC. No difference was observed between breastfeeding patients and HC. Post-vaccination DF were reported by 17.5% of pregnant and 20% of breastfeeding patients, and by 18% of age- and disease-matched control patients (n=2315). All DF in pregnant/breastfeeding patients were managed with glucocorticoids and a fifth of them required initiation or change in immunosuppressive treatment. Conclusion: This study provides the first insights into the safety of COVID-19 vaccination during the antenatal period in women with AID. While AEs were more commonly reported by pregnant patients with AID, these were no higher than among pregnant healthy controls without AID. These observations are reassuring, likely to strengthen physician-patient communication and overcome hesitancy as the benefits for the mother and fetus by passive immunization are

Background: Global data on COVID-19 breakthrough infections (BI) following COVID-19 vaccination among autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) and especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is scarce. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the characteristics of COVID-19 BI among patients with RA and compare them with AIRDs and healthy controls (HCs). Methods: A global e-survey, January-May 2022, collected data on COVID-19 vaccination, and BI in patients with RA, AIRDs, non-rheumatic autoimmune disease (nrAIDs), and HCs. BI was defined as infection after both primary or booster vaccine doses. Severe BI was defined as the need for hospitalization, including intensive unit care, oxygen therapy, or advanced treatment in the form of monoclonal antibodies. Results: Of the 9595 vaccinated respondents of the e-survey, 3224 (33.6%) reported COVID-19. One BI was reported in 323/1802 (17.9%) patients with RA, 584/3869 (15.0%) patients with other AIRDs, and 467/3435 (13.5%) HCs. Similarly, second BI was reported by 280 (8.6%); 42 (2.3%) among RA, 90 (2.3%) among other AIRDs, and 124 (3.6%) among HCs. The prevalence of first BI in patients with RA was higher than that in those with AIRDs (OR=1.2; 95%CI=1.1-1.4; p=0.001) and HCs (OR=1.4; 95%CI=1.2-1.6; p<0.001), but similar to nrAIDs (p=0.783). The prevalence of second BI was lower in patients with RA than in HCs (OR=0.6; 95%CI=0.4-0.9; p=0.012) and nrAIDs (OR=0.4; 95%CI=0.2-0.7; p=0.004), but similar to AIRDs (p=0.991). When compared with HCs, patients with RA reported significantly higher joint pain, hospitalizations, and need for advanced treatment at first BI. Patients with RA from very high HDI countries had lower hazard of first BI than those from high HDI countries (HR=0.026; 95%CI=0.001-0.6; p=0.027). Rituximab use predicted more frequent hospitalization (OR=3.4; 95%CI=1.3-11.4; p=0.045) and severe BI (OR=3.0; 95%CI=1.2-7.3; p=0.014). Conclusion: Nearly one in five patients with RA reported BI. BI prevalence was higher in pat

Background: Although many studies have been conducted on COVID-19 in recent years, there are still unanswered questions regarding breakthrough infections (BTIs), particularly in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Objectives: This study aimed to determine the occurrence of breakthrough COVID-19 infections in patients with SLE versus other autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs), non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs), and healthy controls (HCs). Methods: The study was based on data from the COVAD questionnaire which amassed a total of 10,783 complete responses from patients with SLE, AIRD, or nrAIRD, and HCs. After exclusion of individuals who were unvaccinated, those who received one vaccine dose only, and those with uncertain responses regarding the vaccine doses, a total of 9,595 patients formed the study population of the present investigation. If a COVID-19 infection occurred after the initial two vaccine doses and at least one booster dose (at least three doses in total, herein termed full vaccination), it was considered a BTI. Data were analysed using multivariable regression models. Statistically significant results were denoted by p values <0.05. Results: A total of 7,016/9,595 (73.1%) individuals were fully vaccinated. Among those, 1,002 (14.2%) reported at least one BTI, and 166 (2.3%) reported at least two BTIs. Among SLE patients, 867/1,218 (71.2%) were fully vaccinated. Among fully vaccinated SLE patients, 137 (15.8%) reported at least one BTI while 28 (3.2%) reported at least two BTIs. BTI frequencies in fully vaccinated SLE patients were comparable to those of other AIRDs (OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.8–1.3; p=0.447) and nrAIDS (OR: 0.9; 95% CI: 0.6–1.3; p=0.856) but higher compared with HCs (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0–1.6; p=0.022). For SLE patients with three vaccine doses, 113/137 (82.5%) reported at least one BTI while the corresponding number for four vaccine doses was 24/137 (17.5%). Compared with HCs (OR: 10.6; 95% CI: 1.2–93.0; p=0.032) an

Background: Regional disparities in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are frequently described. Governance, funding, logistic barriers, and physician choice may be important determinants though scarce data from underrepresented regions limits our understanding. Objectives: To evaluate global patterns in treatment of SLE and identify the prevalence of comorbidities. Methods: We identified SLE patients from the COVAD 2 database, consisting of over 20,000 respondents worldwide. Healthy controls (HC) were included to assess population comorbidity levels. Demographics, treatment i.e., corticosteroids (CS), antimalarials, immunosuppressants (IS), cyclophosphamide and biologics plus comorbidity data was recorded. Country Human Development Index (HDI) classification, a composite index formulated by the United Nations to rank countries into tiers of development, was utilised. Results: 3323 HCs and 1167 SLE patients were included in analysis. Patients from low/medium HDI (lmHDI) countries were younger than those from high/very high HDI (hvhHDI) countries (median age 32, IQR 27-41 vs 41, IQR 32-52 years, p<0.0001). Disease duration was shorter in lmHDI countries (median 5, IQR 3-10 vs 10, IQR 5-19 years, p<0.0001). A higher proportion of SLE patients from lmHDI countries were on CS (73% vs 59%, p=0.0002), antimalarials (81% vs 68%, p=0.0002) and IS (66% vs 53%, p=0.0009) compared with patients from hvhHDI countries. Choice of IS varied with azathioprine prescribed more frequently in lmHDI countries (p=0.049). Biologics use was more common in hvhHDI countries (7% vs 2%, p=0.0055). Comorbidity prevalence was similar between groups, however when adjusted for age, patients with chronic kidney disease were significantly younger in lmHDI countries (36.67 vs 44.64 years, p=0.015), as were patients with coronary artery disease (35.7 vs. 44.6 years, p=0.015) and hypertension (41.5 vs 49.8 years, p=0.003). Results are detailed in Table 1. Conclusion: To our know

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can result in impaired daily physical function through various mechanisms including active disease, chronic damage, and mental health symptoms that are common in the disease. However, the key drivers of reduced physical function are poorly understood, and no large-scale global studies investigating this have been conducted to date. Objectives: To investigate key factors that contribute to impaired physical function in SLE globally. Methods: SLE patients were identified from the COVAD 2 database, a global register of more than 20,000 respondents. Healthy controls (HC) were included to compare differences in physical function using the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) questionnaire. Demographics, medication, comorbidities, disease activity, Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GMH) were collected. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify contributing factors to favourable or poor physical function (measured by PROMIS Physical Function shortform PF-10a score). Results: 979 SLE patients and 3358 HCs were included in analysis. Patients with SLE had significantly lower PF-10a score as compared to HCs (median 42, IQR 36-47 vs median 49, IQR 45-50, p<0.0001). Determinants of physical function status in patients with SLE are summarised in Table 1. Briefly, factors associated with poor physical function included increasing age (-0.042, 95% CI -0.069 to -0.015, p=0.002) and methotrexate use (-0.928, 95% CI -1.844 to -0.012, p=0.047). Diabetes (-1.862, 95% CI -3.481 to -0.243, p=0.024) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) (-2.441, 95% CI -4.366 to -0.517, p=0.013), but not asthma or COPD, also contributed to lower PF-10a score. From a mental health perspective, anxiety (-0.970, 95% CI -1.853 to -0.087, p=0.031) but not depression contributed to a lower physical function score. Higher Pain Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) (-2.889, 95% CI -3.107 to -2.671, p<0.001) and