ABSTRACT
Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be associated with a more severe course of infections and a different response to vaccination, especially in complicated IBD course and in association with immune-modifying IBD treatment. The aim of this study was to describe COVID-19 pandemic during years 2020 2022 in IBD patients with long-Term biological therapy. Method(s): A retrospective analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence in the population of 1,177 IBD (Crohn s disease or ulcerative colitis) patients with long-Term biological therapy (IBD cohort) was performed. The incidence rate, crude incidence rate and standardized incidence ratio of COVID-19 in the IBD cohort, the odds ratio of infection depending on the type of biologic therapy administered, the dynamics of COVID-19 incidence depending on the predominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in the population and the current vaccination coverage of the IBD cohort were calculated. Result(s): From January 2020 to April 2022, 548 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (46.6%) were reported in the IBD cohort, with 39% share of PCR positivity in vaccinated individuals and with 95% occurrence of infection in unvaccinated part of the IBD cohort. Standardized incidence rate ratio of COVID-19 was 27% higher in the IBD cohort compared to the general Czech population. The dynamics of the development of the number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the IBD cohort was identical to the situation in the entire country. A higher odds ratio of the chances of infection was demonstrated in patients treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, but not in patients treated with anti-integrins or monoclonal antibodies against interleukins. In the IBD cohort, 85.2% of patients were properly vaccinated, which was significantly more than the vaccination rate of the entire Czech population. Discussion and conclusion: During the two pandemic years, the incidence of COVID-19 in patients with severe IBD and long-Term biological treatment was higher compared to the general Czech population, despite the favorable vaccination coverage of this high-risk patients group. A higher risk was associated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor therapy.Copyright © 2023 Galen s.r.o.. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on immune-modifying treatment could be at an increased risk for severe coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), thus data on the efficacy and safety of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are essential. We have conducted a prospective study of IBD patients vaccinated with BNT162b2, CX- 024414 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccines. The aim was to evaluate the rate and the magnitude of seroconversion, to assess the effect of different immune-modifying treatment modalities on the magnitude of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels, and to analyze the impact of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on the inflammatory biomarkers of IBD. METHODS: The study included 602 IBD patients and 168 immunocompetent health-care workers serving as controls. Serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were measured by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay before the vaccination, and 8 weeks after the end of vaccination. RESULTS: Of IBD patients, 82.2% were receiving biological treatment: most of them were treated TNF-alpha inhibitors (48.5%) and just under half of them with concomitant thiopurines or methotrexate, followed by vedolizumab (18.6%) and ustekinumab (15.1%). Only 8.1% of patients were on 5-aminosalicylates, and a minority (2.2%) were treatment-free. The post-vaccine seropositivity rate among IBD patients and controls was 97.8% versus 100%. Median anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were lower among IBD recipients of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 compared to two other vaccines (p < 0.0001) and to control ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 recipients (p = 0.01). No correlation was found between serum trough levels and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG concentrations for any of the biological drugs used. TNFalpha inhibitors with concomitant immunosuppressive treatment but no other treatment modalities were associated with the lower post-vaccination antibody response ( p <0.0001). When evaluating the laboratory activity of IBD by C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin levels, no significant differences were found before the vaccination and eight weeks after its completion. CONCLUSION: Our findings warrant particular attention to the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination of IBD patients treated with TNFa inhibitors with concomitant immunomodulators and show priority of mRNA vaccines in this specific group of patients.
ABSTRACT
In the time of COVID-19, many measurements to contain the pandemic contributed to social isolation and loneliness. Older adults in particular experience various forms of ageism in this regard, for example by being stereotyped as digitally illiterate. Hence, we need to learn more about the aging discourse in the context of participatory approaches, as it is currently lacking. This article presents the results from two participatory research projects that were significantly affected by the 1st COVID-19 lockdown. We specifically focus on the ways the relationships and modes of cooperation with our older research partners, i.e. the positionalities, have been impacted. We draw on the projects' results, reflecting on the possible implications for the involvement of older adults in design and HCI research and specifically, technologies that are supportive and empowering for the individuals against the background of the pandemic situation. © 2021. All Rights Reserved.
ABSTRACT
Our workshop will concentrate on vulnerability of specific social groups due to various reasons, including COVID-19, and the potential for technology design to result in empowerment. We want to address issues of what new forms of vulnerabilities emerge and how we can design digital environments in a way that acknowledges vulnerability but also has the potential to empower people in ways that are meaningful for them. When planning the workshop, we will also reflect on social situations that can result in vulnerabilities for participants. Therefore, we will ensure that interested participants will experience low barriers to participation include a variety of people with different backgrounds and ensure that interaction happens based on equality principles and in an atmosphere of solidarity. Participants can exchange ideas and thoughts without worrying about being exposed to biased assumptions. The workshop will allow for non-hierarchical and cooperative discussion and collaboration through interactive online exercises, resulting in a collaboratively developed zine. Finally, the social sustainability of the workshop will be ensured through a website, mailing lists, joint publications and continuous contact. © 2021 Owner/Author.