AB1645-PARE Disease flares in patients with rheumatoid arthritis following covid-19 breakthrough infection: result from COVAD e-survey study

Published Date: 10th June 2024

Publication Authors: Nune. A

Abstract:
Background: COVID-19 has been suggested as a possible trigger of disease flares in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, factors associated with disease flares remain unknown.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify factors associated with disease flares in patients with RA following COVID-19.

Methods: We selected patients with RA from an online e-survey data from the COVID-19 vaccination in autoimmune diseases (COVAD) study. Demographic data, patient-reported outcomes, comorbidities and pharmacologic treatment were extracted from the database. Disease flare-ups were derived from the e-survey database. Factors associated with disease flare-ups were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results: In total, 1928 patients with RA were extracted from the COVAD database. Younger age (odds ratio (OR): 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96 – 0.99, p<0.001), ethnicity other than Asian, past history of tuberculosis (OR: 3.80, 95% CI: 1.12 – 12.94, p=0.033), treatment with methotrexate (OR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.56 – 4.17, p<0.001), poor global physical health (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.00 –1.15, p=0.044) and mental health (OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.87 –0.95, p<0.001) were independent factors associated disease flares in patients with RA. Table 1 represents factors associated with disease flare in patients with RA after COVID breakthrough infections and Figure 1 represents forest plots of symptoms of disease flare.

Conclusion: Our study highlights important socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and mental health to be associated with flares in patients with RA. This finding may help determine relevant strategies to proactively manage RA patients at risk of flares.

Chen, J.P; Nune, A; Et al. (2024). AB1645-PARE DISEASE FLARES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS FOLLOWING COVID-19 BREAKTHROUGH INFECTION: RESULT FROM COVAD E-SURVEY STUDY. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 83(1), pp.2198-2199. [Online]. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2024-eular.981 [Accessed 14 August 2024].

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