EVALUATION after COVID-19 VACCINATION in PATIENTS with ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

ABSTRACT

Background: Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) comprising lupus anticoagulant, anti-β2-glycoprotein I and/or anti-cardiolipin antibodies together with recurrent thrombosis and/or obstetric morbidity. In the course of COVID-19, thromboembolism may ocur due to endothelial dysfunction directly related to the viral factor and systemic infammatory response. Concerns about COVID-19 vaccines began to arise after unexpected thromboembolic events were launched with the launch of vaccine campaigns around the world to prevent the disease. Objectives: The purpose of the study is to contribute to the literature on this subject by evaluating the development of any side effects or activation of the disease after the COVID-19 vaccine in our APS patients. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional, retrospective cohort study. The patients who meet the Sapporo Criteria for APS which are followed up in Ankara City Hospital Rheumatology Clinic, 18 years and over and vaccinated with any of the COVID-19 vaccines, were included into the study. The files of the patients were examined in order to evaluate the side effects and APS disease activation (thrombosis, embolism or pregnancy complications) in the 3-month period after the last dose of the COVID-19 vaccines (CoronaVac and BNT162b2). Also, information of the patients was collected via telephone or reviewed at regular follow-up visits. Results: A total of 35 patients were included into the study (Table 1). In our patients, we did not observe any new thrombotic events or pregnancy complications during the 3-months observation period after COVID-19 vaccinations. The most common side effects after vaccinations were as follows;myalgia (30%), weakness (16.7%) and fever (10%) (Table 2). No patient became pregnant or gave birth during the follow-up. Conclusion: According to our results, no thrombotic events or pregnancy complications were observed after CoronaVac and BNT162b2 vaccines in APS patients. Apart from this, minor side effects related to COVID-19 vaccines were clinically acceptable level.