COVID-19 Immunization Rates in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Worldwide: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are characterized by an increased vulnerability to complications stemming from infectious diseases. While these patients do not inherently face a heightened risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the general population, their vulnerability to severe COVID-19 complications and subsequent hospitalization is notably increased. The objective of our study is to quantitatively assess the global coverage of COVID-19 vaccination among individuals with IBD, achieved through a comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review. Thirteen studies were systematically selected from scientific articles available in the MEDLINE/PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus databases, spanning from 1 January 2021 to 25 July 2023. The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine uptake was estimated at 72% (95%CI = 59–83%) for at least one dose, 81% (95%CI = 68–91%) for the complete vaccination regimen, and 71% (95%CI = 46–91%) for the third dose. Analysis of the determinants influencing vaccination uptake revealed several significant associations. These encompassed Caucasian ethnicity, female sex, absence of immunosuppressive therapy, advanced age, prior receipt of the anti-influenza vaccine, absence of a history of COVID-19 infection, and the provision of advice from gastroenterologists, all linked to improved compliance. Our study underscores a noteworthy yet not entirely optimal COVID-19 vaccination coverage among individuals with IBD. A multifaceted approach is warranted to enhance vaccination rates. Within this context, the role of gastroenterologists extends beyond direct patient care, encompassing a pivotal responsibility in preventing complications stemming from post-infectious diseases.

Vaccine Acceptance in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Nonetheless, 79.2% of IBD patients in our study completed a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is higher than the 78.1% of the general population in Italy (as of December 2022) [25]. Our findings are consistent with the literature, which shows an 81% pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine coverage in IBD patients worldwide for the entire vaccination regimen [26][27][28][29].…”

Uptake, safety and effectiveness of inactivated influenza vaccine in inflammatory bowel disease: a UK-wide study

“…22 Similarly, the uptake of influenza vaccine in 2018 was expectedly lower than that of vaccination against COVID-19 in people with IBD which ranged between 71% and 80%. 23 Unlike previous studies of influenza vaccination uptake limited by the small sample size and use of survey questionnaire prone to recall bias, our findings are from the CPRD, a large primary care database, suited for this study, as vaccination in the UK is administered in primary care. As reported in people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, the vaccine uptake was higher in women than men and increased with age.…”

People are an organic unity: Gut-lung axis and pneumonia

“…Similarly, in a study of 124 children with CAP, diarrhea symptoms were present in about 24% and vomiting in 7.3% of cases [ 99 ]. On the other hand, patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) had an increased prevalence of severe COVID-19 and bacterial pneumonia [ 100 , 101 ], and their risk of complications is also significantly increased [ [101] , [102] , [103] ]. Meanwhile, pneumonia is also one of the most frequent reasons for hospitalization of patients with IBD [ 104 ], And the hospitalization rate of elderly patients with IBD complicated by pneumonia is higher [ 105 ].…”