Influenza vaccination rate among patients with moderate to severe psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis vulgaris represent a risk group for developing serious complications after influenza virus infection. By vaccinating this cohort such complications might be prevented. The objective was to determine the vaccination rate among patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and to explore the surrounding circumstances.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A nationwide, non-interventional, cross-sectional study was performed in 1,229 adults with confirmed psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. The survey consisting of 15 questions about vaccination and vaccination adherence was distributed to patients enrolled in the psoriasis patient registry "PsoBest".

RESULTS: About 28 % of the patients (95 %-CI 24.0-31.6) were vaccinated. The mean age was 58 years, 40 % were females. The prevalence of psoriatic arthritis was 28 % at baseline and 39 % during the vaccination period. General practitioners vaccinated 50 % of the patients, while dermatologists suggested vaccination in 7 % of the cases. Fifty percent of the patients reported that they had been vaccinated at their own request. 91 % of the patients had been vaccinated at least once over the past ten years, receiving on average 5.9 influenza vaccinations during the decade.

CONCLUSIONS: The vaccination rate in the study cohort was relatively low compared to that in the general population. Influenza vaccination had only been suggested by a small percentage of physicians.