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Characterising the response to SARS-CoV-2 post vaccination is critical in the appraisement of the induced immune response, performance and protective potential. Here the authors present data from a phase 4 clinical trial in autoimmune rheumatic disease patients 6 months post second dose of Sinovac-CoronaVac inactivated vaccine that show a marked reduction in antibody particularly in males or those under treatment with immune targeting therapies but saw no rise in COVID-19 disease.

Objectives. To evaluate lipid profile changes after anti-TNF therapy in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods. Fifteen PsA patients (eight polyarticular, four oligoarticular, two axial, and one mutilating) under infliximab were included. None had dyslipoproteinemia or previous statin use. Total cholesterol (TC) and its fractions, inflammatory markers, and prednisone use were evaluated. Results. The comparisons of lipid levels between baseline and after three months (3M) of anti-TNF therapy showed that there was a significant increase in mean triglycerides (117.8±49.7 versus 140.1±64.1 mg/dL, P=0.028) and VLDL-c (23.6±10.5 versus 28.4±13.7 mg/dL, P=0.019) levels. In contrast, there were no differences in the mean TC (P=0.28), LDL-c (P=0.42), and HDL-c (P=0.26) levels. Analysis of the frequencies of each lipid alteration at baseline and at 3M were alike (P>0.05). Positive correlations were found between VLDL-c and CRP (r=0.647, P=0.009) and between triglycerides and CRP (r=0.604, P=0.017) levels at 3M. ESR reduction was observed after 3M (P=0.04). Mean prednisone dose remained stable at beginning and at 3M (P=0.37). Conclusion. This study demonstrated that anti-TNF may increase TG and VLDL-c levels in PsA patients after three months.