COVID-19 and autoinflammatory diseases: prevalence and outcomes of infection and early experience of vaccination in patients on biologics

Abstract

Objectives

The systemic autoinflammatory diseases are rare conditions; to date, data on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and vaccination safety are scarce. Agents targeting innate immune pathways have transformed the management of affected patients, and their outcomes are of wider interest given the role of inflammation in both viral clearance and severe COVID-19 disease. We surveyed patients with systemic autoinflammatory disease on biologic therapy to determine the prevalence and outcomes of COVID-19 infection and to gather early safety data on vaccination.

Methods

Electronic medical records of 248 patients with systemic autoinflammatory disease on biologic therapy at a national centre were reviewed. Patients were then surveyed in clinic or using a Web-based survey.

Results

In the cohort of 248 patients, no deaths were recorded. One hundred and seventy-five survey responses were received. Among the respondents, 27 reported suspected COVID-19 infection, of which 14 were confirmed by testing (8.0%). Two patients required hospital admission owing to dehydration. No patient required respiratory support or intensive care. One hundred and thirty-eight doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered to 130 patients. Side effects were reported after 71 of 138 (51.4%) administrations and were consistent with a flare of the underlying disease in 26 of 138 (18.8%) instances. No serious adverse events or hospital admissions were reported after vaccination.

Conclusion

These data, including the largest published series of patients on anti-IL-1/6 biologics to receive any adenoviral vector or messenger RNA vaccine, show no serious early concerns regarding vaccination and will provide an urgently needed resource to inform decision-making of these patients and their clinicians.