Diminished antibody response to SARS‐CoV‐2 in rheumatoid arthritis compared to metabolic disorders following the primary series of vaccinations and its recovery with a booster: A single‐center prospective observational study

Abstract

AbstractAimTo compare antibody responses after vaccinations between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and patients with metabolic disorders (MD). The study places special emphasis on understanding how common diseases affect antibody responses in individuals with RA within real‐world settings.MethodsThe participants were 117 patients with RA (66 with RA only and 51 with RA and MD) and 37 patients with MD who received both the primary series of vaccinations and a booster. Antibody titers were compared after the primary series of vaccinations and a booster, and factors influencing the antibody response were assessed.ResultsFollowing the primary series of vaccinations, a significant reduction in antibody titers was observed in patients with longer days between vaccination and antibody measurement, the use of IL‐6 inhibitors, selective T cell co‐stimulation modulators, and methotrexate. Comorbid MD did not exhibit significant influences on antibody response in RA. Notably, the presence of RA itself was not significant in multivariate linear regression analysis. After the administration of the booster, however, day between vaccination and antibody measurement, the use of IL‐6 inhibitor, and methotrexate no longer remained significant. Only the use of selective T cell co‐stimulation modulators retained its significance.ConclusionsMD did not exhibit a significant impact on antibody responses in RA patients. The reduced antibody response following the primary series in RA patients appeared to be attributed more to specific RA medications rather than to the disease itself. Booster vaccines are vital in restoring the antibody response in RA.