Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial
Abstract Background The influence of immunosuppressive therapy on immunogenicity after COVID-19 vaccination remains unclear. This study surveys patients who receive immunosuppressive therapy about whether or not they paused their immunosuppressive medication while receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. M...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-06-01
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Series: | European Journal of Medical Research |
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-022-00727-7 |
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author | Dominik Schröder Stephanie Heinemann Gloria Heesen Frank Klawonn Marie Mikuteit Jacqueline Niewolik Sandra Steffens Georg Behrens Alexandra Jablonka Frank Müller |
author_facet | Dominik Schröder Stephanie Heinemann Gloria Heesen Frank Klawonn Marie Mikuteit Jacqueline Niewolik Sandra Steffens Georg Behrens Alexandra Jablonka Frank Müller |
author_sort | Dominik Schröder |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Abstract Background The influence of immunosuppressive therapy on immunogenicity after COVID-19 vaccination remains unclear. This study surveys patients who receive immunosuppressive therapy about whether or not they paused their immunosuppressive medication while receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Methods In this prospective observational study, immunosuppressed participants were asked by phone and email about their medication before and during vaccination and who—if anyone—advised them to pause their medication. In addition, a baseline paper-based questionnaire contributes general characteristics regarding age, gender, immunosuppressive medication(s) and the chronic disease(s) requiring immunosuppressive therapy. Results Of 207 surveyed participants, 59 persons (28.5%) paused their immunosuppressive medication before/during vaccination. Persons with rheumatic conditions and women were significantly more likely to pause immunosuppressive therapy than others. Over half of those who paused their medication reported receiving a recommendation from their specialist and 22.0% (13 of 59) decided to pause medication themselves without consulting a physician in advance. Conclusions Besides lack of evidence, many immunosuppressed individuals and their treating physicians choose to pause medication before COVID-19 vaccination and accepting the risk of worsening their underlying disease. Trial registration: DRKS00023972, registered 12/30/2020. |
first_indexed | 2024-12-12T17:35:41Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-fa50ed83429b46d3af1698e9707dcb9e |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2047-783X |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-12T17:35:41Z |
publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
publisher | BMC |
record_format | Article |
series | European Journal of Medical Research |
spelling | doaj.art-fa50ed83429b46d3af1698e9707dcb9e2022-12-22T00:17:13ZengBMCEuropean Journal of Medical Research2047-783X2022-06-012711810.1186/s40001-022-00727-7Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trialDominik Schröder0Stephanie Heinemann1Gloria Heesen2Frank Klawonn3Marie Mikuteit4Jacqueline Niewolik5Sandra Steffens6Georg Behrens7Alexandra Jablonka8Frank Müller9Department of General Practice, University Medical Center GoettingenDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center GoettingenDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center GoettingenDepartment of Computer Science, Ostfalia University of Applied SciencesDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical SchoolDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical SchoolDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical SchoolDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical SchoolGerman Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site HannoverDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center GoettingenAbstract Background The influence of immunosuppressive therapy on immunogenicity after COVID-19 vaccination remains unclear. This study surveys patients who receive immunosuppressive therapy about whether or not they paused their immunosuppressive medication while receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Methods In this prospective observational study, immunosuppressed participants were asked by phone and email about their medication before and during vaccination and who—if anyone—advised them to pause their medication. In addition, a baseline paper-based questionnaire contributes general characteristics regarding age, gender, immunosuppressive medication(s) and the chronic disease(s) requiring immunosuppressive therapy. Results Of 207 surveyed participants, 59 persons (28.5%) paused their immunosuppressive medication before/during vaccination. Persons with rheumatic conditions and women were significantly more likely to pause immunosuppressive therapy than others. Over half of those who paused their medication reported receiving a recommendation from their specialist and 22.0% (13 of 59) decided to pause medication themselves without consulting a physician in advance. Conclusions Besides lack of evidence, many immunosuppressed individuals and their treating physicians choose to pause medication before COVID-19 vaccination and accepting the risk of worsening their underlying disease. Trial registration: DRKS00023972, registered 12/30/2020.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-022-00727-7ImmunosuppressionSARS-CoV-2COVID-19ImmunizationImmunogenicityDrug compliance |
spellingShingle | Dominik Schröder Stephanie Heinemann Gloria Heesen Frank Klawonn Marie Mikuteit Jacqueline Niewolik Sandra Steffens Georg Behrens Alexandra Jablonka Frank Müller Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial European Journal of Medical Research Immunosuppression SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 Immunization Immunogenicity Drug compliance |
title | Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial |
title_full | Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial |
title_fullStr | Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial |
title_full_unstemmed | Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial |
title_short | Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial |
title_sort | who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for covid 19 vaccination results of an exploratory observational trial |
topic | Immunosuppression SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 Immunization Immunogenicity Drug compliance |
url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-022-00727-7 |
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