It looks like the COVID-19 vaccines are still making headlines following the latest discoveries. Check out the new reports below.
COVID-19 vaccines’ effects
A recent review has found a potential link between COVID-19 vaccines and the onset of rheumatic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (R-IMIDs), including but not limited to arthritis, vasculitis, lupus, and adult-onset Still’s disease.
According to the study, patients developed these conditions approximately 11 days after receiving the vaccine. Out of the total number of patients, 75 individuals (over 27 percent) experienced complete remission, and around 50 percent showed improvement after receiving treatment.
However, eight of the patients were admitted to intensive care, and two individuals unfortunately passed away due to their symptoms.
The authors of the study expressed concern regarding the short time span between vaccine administration and the onset of R-IMIDs.
They highlighted the possibility of a cause-and-effect relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and the development of R-IMIDs.
It is important to note that the study did not establish a direct causal relationship between the vaccines and the development of R-IMIDs.
Nonetheless, the findings suggest that individuals with a history of autoimmune disease should consult with their doctor before getting vaccinated and monitor their symptoms closely after vaccination.
Rheumatic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, or R-IMIDs, are conditions characterized by inflammation in the joints, tendons, muscles, and bones of the body, and their exact cause remains unknown.
A recent study led by researchers from the UK’s National Health Service analyzed 190 case studies from around the world, involving a total of 271 participants.
The study found that over 80% of patients developed symptoms of R-IMIDs after receiving their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The majority of those affected were successfully treated with corticosteroids. Of the individuals who developed R-IMIDs after vaccination, nearly 57% had received the Pfizer vaccine, almost a quarter had received the AstraZeneca vaccine, and 12% had received the Moderna vaccine.
Reported Diseases
According to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), myocarditis, a known adverse event of COVID-19 vaccination, has been reported more frequently than rheumatic diseases.
As per the data available on VAERS, over 3,000 cases of myocarditis have been reported after the COVID-19 vaccine.
Additionally, there have been over 2,300 cases of arthritis, over 370 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (the most common type of lupus), and 280 cases of vasculitis. This is the first-ever systematic review of new-onset R-MIDs after COVID vaccination that includes rheumatic diseases.
Inflammation of Blood Vessels
In the review, vasculitis emerged as the most prevalent rheumatic disease with 86 recorded adverse events. Vasculitis primarily affects the smaller blood vessels, leading to the appearance of red spots and lumps on the skin, and may result in damage to internal organs.
However, medium and larger blood vessels can also be affected, causing damage to tissue, muscle, and kidneys. One patient experienced fluid buildup in the lungs due to inflammation in the larger blood vessels, while another lost vision in their left eye because of reduced blood flow to the optical nerves caused by inflammation in the arteries in their head.
Connective Tissue Diseases
Connective tissue diseases affected a total of 66 cases. These diseases are categorized as lupus, an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, joints, and internal organs.
Myositis and dermatomyositis, which present as muscle and tissue inflammation, are also part of this category. Sadly, two patients passed away due to their conditions:
A 44-year-old man who developed myositis and compartment syndrome in his limbs, and a 62-year-old woman who developed diabetes and dermatomyositis after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.
Arthritis
Fifty-five patients developed arthritis after receiving the vaccine, with symptoms primarily affecting the knees, elbows, and ankles.
Following treatment with steroids, most patients experienced symptom improvement, with 12 achieving remission and two experiencing persistent symptoms.
