26rhk278 10.3205/26rhk278 urn:nbn:de:0183-26rhk2781 Meeting Abstract Al-Azem Al-Azem Nadine N

Medizinische Klinik D, Sektion für Rheumatologie und klinische Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Deutschland

author Gente Gente Karolina K

Internal Medicine V, Haematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Deutschland

author Ditz Ditz Benedikt B

Elisabeth-Klinik Bigge, Innere Medizin, Olsberg, Deutschland

author Bormann Bormann Eike E

Institute of Biometry and Clinical Research, University of Münster, Münster, Deutschland

author Burmester Burmester Gerd-Rüdiger GR

Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland

author Charaf Charaf Salma S

Medizinische Klinik D, Sektion für Rheumatologie und klinische Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Deutschland

author Fräbel Fräbel Christian C

Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Deutschland

author Gilliam-Feld Gilliam-Feld Gabriele G

German League against Rheumatism, Bonn, Deutschland

author Klüser Klüser Natalie N

German League against Rheumatism, Bonn, Deutschland

author Knothe Knothe Anna A

Medizinische Klinik D, Sektion für Rheumatologie und klinische Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Deutschland

author Müller-Ladner Müller-Ladner Ulf U

Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Campus Kerckhoff, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Deutschland

author Roth Roth Johannes J

Institute of Immunology, University of Münster, Münster, Deutschland

author Schulze-Koops Schulze-Koops Hendrik H

Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Clinic and Policlinic IV, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Deutschland

author Specker Specker Christof C

Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen, Deutschland

author Steinmüller Steinmüller Mirko M

Rheumatology Practice, Wetzlar, Deutschland

author Triantafyllias Triantafyllias Konstantinos K

Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Mainz, Deutschland Department of Rheumatology, Acute Rheumatology Center Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Kreuznach, Deutschland

author Hasseli-Fräbel Hasseli-Fräbel Rebecca R

Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Campus Kerckhoff, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Deutschland Medizinische Klinik D, Sektion für Rheumatologie und klinische Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Deutschland

author German Medical Science GMS Publishing House

Düsseldorf

610 20260909 engl This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Dieser Artikel ist ein Open-Access-Artikel und steht unter den Lizenzbedingungen der Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (Namensnennung). M0656 278 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie Deutsche Gesellschaft für Orthopädische Rheumatologie Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendrheumatologie 54. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie (DGRh), 36. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendrheumatologie (GKJR), 40. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Orthopädische Rheumatologie (DGORh) Deutscher Rheumatologiekongress 2026 Verschiedenes Leipzig 20260909 20260912 VS.07 TextIntroduction: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD) are susceptible to influenza infections and complications yet avoid vaccination for fear of disease exacerbation. Influenza vaccination is an effective and affordable preventive strategy. In Germany, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends influenza vaccination for patients with IRD, particularly on immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive therapy. This study evaluates the effectiveness and tolerability of the 2023/24 influenza vaccine in IRD patients using self-reported longitudinal data.Methods: Patients with IRD were recruited by rheumatology practices, clinics and patient organisations nationwide between October and December 2023 to complete an online survey directly after influenza vaccination and at three and six months thereafter.Results: A total of 633 patients with IRD participated in the survey; 87.5% were female, with a median age of 50.4 years (range 18–84). The most common conditions were rheumatoid arthritis (50%), connective tissue diseases (28%), and spondyloarthritis (27%). The primary treatments included methotrexate (33%), glucocorticoids (30%), and TNF-alpha inhibitors (24%). Post-vaccination, 50% experienced injection site pain, while 41% reported no side effects. IRD flares occurred in 5.2%, with only 1% requiring adjustment of their antirheumatic therapy. Among 428 patients with follow-up, influenza infections were reported in 38 patients (8.9%), including 10 (2.3%) with reinfections. No severe cases requiring hospitalisation were reported. Spondyloarthritis patients had higher susceptibility to influenza (p=0.002), accounting for 55.3% of infections. IRD flares in the 12 months before vaccination predicted influenza infections despite vaccination (p=0.002).Conclusion: The influenza vaccine showed high effectiveness and good tolerability in IRD patients during the 2023/2024 season. In influenza-vaccinated IRD patients, no severe cases of influenza infection, defined as the need for hospitalisation were reported. No significant IRD flares were reported due to the vaccination. Given these findings, physicians should recommend vaccination for influenza to IRD patients. The reason for increased risk of influenza infections in patients with spondyloarthritis requires further investigation. 0 0 0 0