Rate of influenza vaccination among patients of rheumatoid arthritis receiving immunosuppressive drugs in Islamabad.

Abstract

Objectives: Patients of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving immunosuppressive drugs have an increased risk of infections such as influenza and are more likely to develop serious complications. WHO and other leading international health organizations recommend influenza vaccination as the most effective preventive strategy in these patients. The aim of our study was to assess the rates of influenza vaccinations in patients of rheumatoid arthritis receiving immunosuppressive drugs in a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Medical outpatient unit of the HBS General Hospital, Islamabad. Period: From October 2018 to January 2019. Material & Methods: Included 108 patients of rheumatoid arthritis selected through nonprobability purposive sampling and Patients with at least one year history of Rheumatoid arthritis currently receiving immunosuppressive therapy were included in the study. Socio-demographic details and vaccination history was collected on a pre-designed performa. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Chi square test was applied to ascertain association. Results: Out of the total 108 patients, 80 were females and 28 were males. Average duration of RA among the study sample was 4.6 years. 34% of the patients reported having co-morbid medical condition(s). Only 3% of the patients had received influenza vaccination. 22% of the patients reported severe influenza infection during the preceding season. Lack of awareness about the importance of vaccination was the main reason for low vaccination rate. Conclusion: The rates of influenza vaccination in patients of rheumatoid arthritis receiving immunosuppressive drugs are extremely low in Islamabad. There is an urgent need to raise awareness on this issue among the patients as well as physicians.