Single-centre, cross-sectional study on the factors and reasons for non-vaccination among patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2025

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
Published on: May 16, 2025
Hirofumi Miyake1, Ryuichi Minoda Sada1,2,3, Yukio Tsugihashi4
1Department of General Internal Medicine, Tenri Hospital, Nara, Japan.
Objectives:
We aimed to investigate the vaccination coverage and the factors associated with non-vaccination for vaccine-preventable diseases among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods:
This single-centre, cross-sectional study was conducted in a 715-bed regional tertiary-care teaching hospital in Japan from 1 September to 30 November 2020. Vaccination status and the factors and reasons for not receiving the influenza vaccine, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), and varicella vaccine live (VVL) were investigated.
Results:
Among 991 patients, the vaccination coverage for the influenza vaccine, PPSV23, PCV13, and VVL was 62%, 46%, 14%, and 3%, respectively. The most common reasons for vaccine hesitancy were efficacy concerns for the influenza vaccine, safety concerns for the PPSV23 and PCV13, and both efficacy and safety concerns for the VVL. Younger age, no use of biologics or other hospital visits, and public assistance were factors significantly associated with non-vaccination for the influenza vaccine; younger age, short disease duration, and no visits to other hospitals for PPSV23; younger age, no hospitalisation, more experienced doctor, and no medical immunodeficiency for PCV13.
Conclusions:
We found that the factors associated with non-vaccination varied by vaccine type; therefore, vaccinations should be promoted with individualised strategies.
Related Concept Videos
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Factors Affecting Protein-Drug Binding: Patient-Related Factors
Age stands as a key determinant in protein-drug binding. Neonates, characterized by low albumin content, experience heightened concentrations of unbound drugs such as phenytoin and...

