COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Italian Adults with Marfan Syndrome: Insights from a Secondary Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Although vaccine hesitancy has been reported in many patient groups and countries, there is a lack of data on vaccine hesitancy in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). MFS is a rare genetic disorder that can lead to cardiovascular, ocular, and musculoskeletal issues. Because MFS patients may face an increased risk of COVID-19 complications, vaccination is crucial for this population. This brief report aims to describe vaccine hesitancy rates in MFS patients and compare the characteristics of patients who are hesitant and those who are not to gain a better understanding of this specific population. This study analyzes previously published cross-sectional data that examined mental health, sociodemographic, and clinical factors associated with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia in MFS patients during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lombardy, Italy. Of the 112 MFS patients who participated, 26 (23.9%) reported vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine hesitancy may be associated mainly with younger age and not be related to other patient characteristics. Therefore, this report found no differences in individual-level variables, such as sex, education, comorbidities, and mental health symptoms, between those who were hesitant and those who were not. The study findings are insightful and suggest that interventions to address vaccine hesitancy in this population may need to focus on attitudes and beliefs related to vaccination rather than targeting specific sociodemographic or clinical factors.