To determine prevalence and factors associated with flares post Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ...spondyloarthritis (SpA).
A retrospective multi-centre study was conducted (January 2021 to February 2022). Data were collected during index visit, defined as first post-vaccine visit in which the patient had a physician-defined flare, or if at least 3 months had elapsed since first vaccine dose, whichever came first. Factors associated with flares were identified using mixed effects Cox regression and expressed as hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
Total of 2377 patients were included (1563 RA, 415 PsA and 399 SpA). Among patients with RA, PsA and SpA, 21.3%, 24.1% and 21.8% experienced a flare respectively. Of those who experienced a flare, only 10.2%, 11.0% and 14.9% were severe in patients with RA, PsA and SpA respectively. Patients with low or moderate/high disease were more likely to flare compared to those in remission in patients with RA only (HR: 1.68, 95% CI 1.22-2.31; HR: 2.28, 95% CI 1.50-3.48, respectively). Receiving the Moderna vaccine was associated with a higher HR of flare compared to the Pfizer vaccine in patients with PsA only (HR: 2.21, 95% CI 1.20-4.08). Patients who had two vaccine doses were found to be less likely to flare (HR: 0.08, 95% CI 0.06-0.10). HRs of flares were not significantly different among RA, PsA and SpA.
About one-fifth of patients experienced a disease flare post COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, but most flares were non-severe. Patients with active disease prior to vaccination should be monitored closely for disease flares, especially in patients with RA.
The field of study addressing the relationship between FSD and male sexual dysfunction (MSD) represents a pivotal worldwide health issue as interrelationship between FSD and MSD studies are still ...inconclusive.
To review the interrelationship between FSD and MSD and to conclude whether there is a definitive risk of men developing sexual dysfunction when his partner is suffering from FSD.
The investigation was conducted following the standard practice for conducting and reporting the findings of systematic reviews and meta-analyses comprising of 4 electronic databases, that is, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library and Ovid (Medline) from inception to December 2019. Search strategies were developed based on relevant keywords with appropriate truncation and Boolean operators' approach. The quality of studies was employed using the McMaster Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies and were assessed by independent reviewers. The levels of evidence of the included studies were also determined.
MSD who had been exposed to FSD.
From more than 8,000 studies searched, 26 studies were finally included, and most included studies have reasonable quality. Meta-analysis found a significant sexual dysfunction in men who are partnered with women with FSD. It found a consistent correlation between FDS and sexual dysfunction in men with a significant 3-fold increase in MSD who are partnered with women with FSD (odds ratio = 3.011, 95% confidence interval: 1.856-4.885, P = <.001, I² = 42.26%). Among subtypes of MSD, likelihood increased 4-fold for erectile dysfunction and that of premature ejaculation doubled. The data for several other domains on their components were mixed.
These findings support the notion that clinicians should evaluate sexual function pertaining to both partners and encompassing several dimensions and needing an interdisciplinary approach.
This review exhaustively examines data search from vast electronic databases and as the comparison of studies is extracted from English journal publications, not all regions worldwide are represented.
This meta-analysis and systematic review found an association between sexual dysfunction in men partnered with women with FSD, especially in the domains of erectile and ejaculatory function. Chew PY, Choy CL, Sidi Hb,et al. The Association Between Female Sexual Dysfunction and Sexual Dysfunction intheMale Partner: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Sex Med 2021;18:99-112.
Studies of flares of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination are limited by small sample size, short follow up or at risk of selection bias.
A national ...retrospective cohort study of consecutive AIIRD patients ≥12 years old, across 8 hospitals who received at least one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Patients were included from the date of 1st vaccine dose and censored at the time of flare or on the date of the clinic visit at least 3 months from cohort entry, whichever came first. Predictors of flare were determined by Cox proportional hazards analysis.
4627 patients (73% Chinese, 71% female) of median (IQR) age 61 (48, 70) years were included; 42% Rheumatoid arthritis, 14% Systemic lupus erythematosus and 11% Psoriatic arthritis. 47% were in remission, 41% low disease activity, 10% moderate disease activity and 1% in high disease activity. 18% patients flared, of which 11.7% were within the 3-month period of interest. 11.8% patients improved. Median (IQR) time-to-flare was 60 (30, 114) days. 25% flares were self-limiting, 61% mild-moderate and 14% severe. Older patients (53–65 years and >66 years) had a lower risk of flare HR 0.6 (95% CI 0.5–0.8) and 0.7 (0.6–0.8) respectively. Patients with inflammatory arthritis and with active disease had a higher risk of flare HR 1.5 (1.2–2.0) and 1.4 (1.2–1.6), respectively. Treatment with conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), immunosuppression and prednisolone was also associated with an increased risk of flare HR 1.5 (1.1–2), 1.2 (1.1–1.4) and 1.5 (1.2–1.8) for prednisolone ≤7.5 mg respectively.
There was a moderately high rate of AIIRD flares after mRNA vaccination but also improvement in several patients. Severe flares and hospitalisation were rare. Thus, vaccination remains safe and highly recommended.
•Our large inception cohort of consecutively vaccinated AIIRD patients yielded a flare rate of 4.5/100 patient-months.•Predictors of flares were younger age, inflammatory arthritis, active disease and immunosuppressive treatment.•Severe flares were rare; thus vaccination is safe and highly recommended for our vulnerable patients with AIIRD.