POS1237 SARS-CoV-2 mRNA VACCINE IMMUNOGENICITY IN CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS ON DMARD THERAPY

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis (CIA) are at increased risk for the development and mortality from COVID-19. Vaccinations are integral to the management of these conditions. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) used to treat CIA have the potential to blunt the immune response and efficacy of vaccinations. There is little data on the effect of DMARDS used for CIA on the response to novel mRNA vaccines, although limited data is emerging from small studies. Guidelines on adjusting such therapy are limited by a paucity of available data. Our objectives were to compare the antibody response (ABR) to the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in patients with CIA on treatment with either methotrexate (MTX), tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), or both with healthy controls as well as determine the effect of interrupting therapy after vaccination in patients with CIA on the ABR to the vaccine. Method(s): 63 patients (ages 18-90) with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis on MTX, TNFi or both were recruited. All subjects received two doses of a mRNA COVID vaccine. Use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), NSAID's, and prednisone (Pred)