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Vaccination status of patients with primary immunodeficiencies in Germany-a multicentric epidemiologic analysis.

Abstract (Expand)

BACKGROUND: Vaccinations represent an easily accessible, safe, and important method for preventing infections. Patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PID) are more susceptible to infections and … should receive an extended spectrum of immunizations in many countries. METHODS: Between January 2019 and May 2020, vaccination certificates of 70 patients with PID from the regions of Wurzburg and Hanover in Germany were evaluated. The patients were additionally surveyed regarding their attitude towards vaccinations and the communication with their physicians. Medical records were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 70 patients, 54 (77%) suffered from common variable immunodeficiency, 30 (43%) were diagnosed with accompanying autoimmunity, 62 (89%) had an increased susceptibility to infections, and 56 (80%) were on immunoglobulin substitution therapy. Seven patients (10%) had neither a vaccination certificate nor were they able to recollect of their last vaccination. Only 55 (79%) and 43 (61%) patients stated that their rheumatologist or immunologist had recommended an influenza and a pneumococcal vaccination, respectively. When asked about their overall trust in vaccinations on a scale of 0 to 10 (0 = very low, 10 = very high), the mean value was 7.8. The most common vaccination was against tetanus in 63 (90%) patients, 49 (70%) had received vaccination against pneumococci, and 39 (56%) had received an influenza vaccination. Interestingly, 26 patients (37%) were vaccinated against measles, even though this is contraindicated in most PID patients. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that vaccination rates in this at-risk population are insufficient. Healthcare providers should emphasize vaccinations routinely when caring for these patients.

Authors: E. C. Schwaneck, A. S. Harasim, H. P. Tony, M. Gawlik, T. Witte, S. Joos, M. Gernert, M. Schmalzing, H. Morbach, M. Frohlich, M. Krone

Date Published: 22nd Aug 2024

Publication Type: Journal

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Patients with Primary Immunodeficiency: a Multicentric Analysis of 101 Patients.

Abstract (Expand)

The term complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) describes a broad spectrum of health care practices that are not an integral part of the conventional health care system. Many patients worldwide … use CAM on their own initiative, often in combination with their conventional medical therapy. CAM use is attractive especially to patients with primary immunodeficiency, since they suffer from frequent infections and autoimmunity. Those are frequently addressed by CAM providers. The aim of this multicentric study was to collect information on the use of CAM by these patients and to define characteristics that are associated with the use of CAM. A total of 101 patients with primary immunodeficiencies at German hospitals were surveyed on their CAM use (further 14 patients rejected to participate). Multiple psychological tests (MARS-D, WHO-5, PHQ9, EFQ) were conducted to investigate variations among personality traits associated with CAM use. Additionally, clinical and sociodemographic patient data was collected. A total of 72% of patients used CAM to treat their primary immunodeficiency. The three most frequently used methods were physical exercise or fitness training (65%), dietary supplements (58%), and homeopathy (49%). Most patients did not discuss CAM use with their doctors, mostly because they felt that there was no time for it. CAM plays an important role for patients with primary immunodeficiency in a high-resource health care setting such as Germany. In clinical practice, doctors should create a platform to discuss needs that go beyond conventional therapy.

Authors: A. S. Harasim, M. Krone, H. P. Tony, M. Gawlik, T. Witte, S. Joos, M. Gernert, M. Schmalzing, H. Morbach, E. C. Schwaneck

Date Published: 7th Jan 2021

Publication Type: Journal

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