Influenza A (H1N1) vaccination in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate retrospectively the use of Influenza A (H1N1)
vaccine and its effects on the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
(SLE) adult patients followed in the Clinical Immunology Unit of
Hospital Santo Antonio – Porto, Portugal.
Material and Methods: A telephone survey was carried out,
asking patients whether they had influenza A medical diagnosis.
They were also asked whether the vaccine had been proposed
and administered and if any local and/or systemic side effects
had emerged. Patients who took the vaccine, were assessed
regarding the effect of the disease activity on a numerical scale
from 0 (no active disease) to 10 (very active) the month before
and after vaccination.
Results: Of 318 SLE patients followed in the Unit, 186 (mean
age 43 ± 13; 91% female) were contacted. Vaccination was
offered to 37% of them (68) and was administered to 28 patients
(41%). 72% of vaccinated patients had local adverse reactions and
31% systemic. No influenza infection was diagnosed in vaccinated
patients. The mean global assessment of disease activity in the
month preceding and following the administration of the vaccine
was 3. The mean scale variation was 0.
Conclusion: Despite the Health Portuguese Department recommendations for H1N1 vaccine, a significant number of SLE
patients were not vaccinated either because they had not been
proposed to, either by their poor compliance. Although a significant incidence of local and systemic side effects there was no
change in SLE activity.