Background The patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) have double the risk of infections as compared to the general population this may be due to highly inflammatory nature of the disease, the drug used, and the co-morbidities. In recent years, the efficacy of vaccinations has been proven in decreasing morbidities and mortality among these patients, hence, it reduces the cost of the treatment and improves the quality of life of the patients. However, low vaccination compliance is a global problem. Therefore, in this study, we tried to assess the effect of nursing counselling on vaccinations compliance.

Objectives To assess the efficacy of counseling by the specialist rheumatology nurses in vaccination compliance among AIRDs patients.

Methods - All the adult patients (>18yrs), suffering from AIRDs, were advised vaccinations between January to December 2016 were enrolled in this study. The basic demographic and disease-related data captured with details of vaccinations such as date of advice of vaccination and reasons for non-compliance were recorded. The patients were intensely counselled by specialist nurses about the importance and needs of vaccination, clarifying their doubts. Reinforcement of the same was carried out in the follow-up visits.

Results A total of 506 patients (374 female, 73.9.2% and 132 male, 26%), with mean age 48 years, diagnoses; rheumatoid arthritis: 378 (74.75%), Spondyloarthropathy: 80 (15.81%) other autoimmune rheumatic disease 48 (9.48%). Co-morbidities status: 309 (61%) having multiple co-morbidities and 197 (38.9%) have no co-morbidities. The vaccination compliance outcome is shown in table.

Conclusions The compliance rate of all vaccinations was highest on the same day when it was prescribed. This was despite the fact that the patients pay for their own vaccinations without any third party payment. However, the compliance decreases with increase in the period when it was prescribed with the passage of time. This suggests that intense counselling, availability of vaccines at premises (pharmacy) and administration of vaccination free of cost are a few of the contributory factors which can boost the compliance of the vaccination among patients with AIRDs

References

1. S.Shaffu, S.Mumtaz S, R.Neame: Vaccination in rheumatoid arthritis: Are your vaccinations up to date? Ann Rheum Dis 2013; 71:662.

2. Gluck T. Vaccinate your immunocompromised patients. Rheumatology 2006:45:9–10.

References

Disclosure of Interest R. Thakran: None declared, S. Baghel: None declared, R. Rawat: None declared, C. Messi: None declared, S. Kapoor Consultant for: Advisory board of Novartis,Pfizer, S. Garg Consultant for: Advisory board of Intas, A. Malaviya Consultant for: Advisory board of IPCA, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, BMS,Dr. Reddy's, Zydus