Safety profile and low risk of disease relapse after BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-COV-2 vaccination in patients with rare rheumatic diseases

Vaccination today represents the first defence against the effects of the Coronavirus disease 2019, mainly in rheumatic patients, where an increased risk for hospitalization and death has been reported (1,2). The previous studies on the safety and tolerability of BNT162b2 mRNA-SARS-CoV-2 (3) vaccine in patients affected with rheumatic diseases(RDs) included predominantly patients with inflammatory arthritis (4-6). This study was focused on patients affected with rare RDs and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to assess the safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and possible disease flares after vaccination.

Prevalence of Findings in Routine Abdominal Ultrasound in Patients with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases and Their Impact on Therapeutic Decision Making

Patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) often receive abdominal ultrasound examinations to screen for organ involvement; yet, the spectrum of findings and their clinical relevance are poorly understood. We conducted a retrospective chart review of inpatients from a rheumatological referral centre with an abdominal ultrasound between 1 January2006 and 31 December 2015, examining 1092 SARD patients with a total of 1695 inpatient stays. The mean age was 55.1 years (range: 17–90 years, SD: 15.8), and the mean disease duration was 6.4 years (range: 0.0–52.8 years, SD: 9.1). A total of 87.5% of the patients were female. The most frequent ultrasound findings were hepatic steatosis (in 26.8% of all patients), splenomegaly (15.2% of all patients), pancreatic lipomatosis (14.3% of all patients) and aortic sclerosis (13.9% of all patients). Based on glucocorticoid and disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use, we identified cases where immuno-modulatory medication was escalated; there was an association between therapy escalation and the findings of hepatomegaly and pleural effusion (as tested via Fisher’s exact test). In patients with several examinations during the defined time span (n = 318), we found ultrasound findings to change, especially findings of hepatomegaly, pleural effusion and splenomegaly. When justifying decisions regarding the further treatment of a patient in the discharge letter, abdominal ultrasound results were rarely discussed. Abdominal ultrasound rarely yielded disease-specific or treatment-changing results.

Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases: Risk Assessment and Prophylaxis

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is an uncommon opportunistic infection in patients with rheumatic diseases with high mortality. Unlike other non-HIV conditions, international guideline for PJP prophylaxis in rheumatic diseases is currently lacking. Recent evidence regarding the risk of PJP and effectiveness of prophylaxis has been accumulating. This Review provides an update on the information about risk factors associated with PJP in patients with rheumatic diseases based on rheumatic diagnoses, use of immunosuppressive agents and other disease-related factors. The second part of the article summarizes evidence regarding the effectiveness of PJP prophylaxis by considering both disease-related and therapy-related factors. Finally, the Review outlined the currently available disease-specific recommendations and local guidelines, and appreciate the factors that influence physicians’ decision.