Akyuz Merve Sari, Akyuz Bülent, Keskin Olgun, Sezer Ilhan
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Antalya Training And Research Hospital, Antalya, Türkiye.
Department of Rheumatology, Akdeniz University Hospital, Antalya, Türkiye.
Arch Rheumatol. 2025 Jun 23;40(2):171-181. doi: 10.5152/ArchRheumatol.2025.11077.
Background/Aims: Patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs) are particularly vulnerable to infections as a result of their underlying autoimmune conditions. This vulnerability is further exacerbated by immunosuppressive treatments and associated comorbidities. This study aims to evaluate influenza vaccination rates, hesitancy, and awareness among this patient population. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study included patients with AIIRD receiving treatment at rheumatology and pulmonary medicine outpatient clinics. Between January and April 2024, a questionnaire was administered to assess influenza vaccination rates, knowledge, and attitudes. Results: Of the patients, 34.3% had received at least 1 influenza vaccination, while only 13% were vaccinated annually. Additionally, 62.2% recognized that they were at risk for influenza infection due to their current illnesses and medications and believed that they should be vaccinated. However, 59.2% had not received any professional information about the influenza vaccine. Only 38.2% were aware that vaccination was available free of charge for their condition. Older age, prolonged medication use, extended duration since diagnosis, presence of comorbidities, awareness of influenza risk, and receiving information about vaccination were all significantly associated with having received at least 1 influenza vaccination. No statistical relationship was observed between the type of rheumatic disease and vaccination (P= .7803). Patients relying on social media, TV, or internet sources demonstrated greater vaccine hesitancy (P < .0001). Awareness of vaccination recommendations was significantly associated with medication type (P < .0001). Hesitancy was reported by 38.7% of all patients and 48% of unvaccinated patients, influenced by negative experiences during the COVID-19 vaccination process. Conclusion: Influenza vaccination coverage among patients with AIIRD remains suboptimal. Physician reminders during routine visits could enhance vaccination rates. Health authorities might consider implementing pop-up alerts in clinical systems to prompt physicians to recommend vaccination when prescribing immunosuppressive medications.
背景/目的：自身免疫性炎性风湿性疾病（AIIRDs）患者因其潜在的自身免疫状况而特别容易感染。免疫抑制治疗及相关合并症会进一步加剧这种易感性。本研究旨在评估该患者群体的流感疫苗接种率、犹豫程度及认知情况。
这项描述性研究纳入了在风湿病和肺病门诊接受治疗的AIIRD患者。2024年1月至4月期间，通过问卷调查来评估流感疫苗接种率、知识水平和态度。
在这些患者中，34.3%至少接种过1次流感疫苗，而每年接种疫苗的仅占13%。此外，62.2%的患者认识到由于其当前疾病和所用药物，他们有感染流感的风险，并认为自己应该接种疫苗。然而，59.2%的患者未收到任何有关流感疫苗的专业信息。只有38.2%的患者知道其病情可免费接种疫苗。年龄较大、用药时间长、诊断后病程长、存在合并症、意识到流感风险以及收到疫苗接种信息均与至少接种过1次流感疫苗显著相关。未观察到风湿性疾病类型与疫苗接种之间存在统计学关系（P = 0.7803）。依赖社交媒体、电视或网络获取信息的患者表现出更高的疫苗犹豫程度（P < 0.0001）。对疫苗接种建议的认知与药物类型显著相关（P < 0.0001）。所有患者中有38.7%以及未接种疫苗的患者中有48%表示犹豫，这受到新冠疫苗接种过程中的负面经历影响。
AIIRD患者的流感疫苗接种覆盖率仍不理想。常规就诊时医生提醒可提高接种率。卫生当局可考虑在临床系统中设置弹出式提醒，以便医生在开具免疫抑制药物时推荐接种疫苗。
