Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2025
Author Spotlight: Treating Knee Osteoarthritis with Tuina - A New Perspective
Published on: January 12, 2024
Risk of new-onset polymyalgia rheumatica following COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea: a self-controlled case-series
Jieun Woo1, Mu Kyung Kim1, HyunJoo Lim1
1Department of Biohealth Regulatory Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
Background:
While several studies have reported some cases of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) following COVID-19 vaccination, studies using large databases are lacking.
Objectives:
To investigate the risk of PMR after COVID-19 vaccination using self-controlled case series (SCCS) analysis METHODS: We used the National Health Insurance Database, linked with the COVID-19 registry between February 2021 and August 2023, to identify adults aged 50 years or older who received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and subsequently diagnosed with PMR within the observation period, defined as 240 days after the first dose of vaccine. The risk window was defined as 28 days after each dose of COVID-19 vaccination, and the control window encompassed the remainder of the observation period. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated using conditional Poisson regression with 95% CIs, stratified by dose and vaccine type.
Results:
Among 44 818 078 COVID-19 vaccine recipients, 376 patients were diagnosed with PMR. The analysis indicated that COVID-19 vaccination was not associated with an increased risk of PMR (IRR, 0.74; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.94). Rather, the risk of PMR was slightly reduced after the first dose (0.52; 0.34 to 0.79), with no significant association with other doses of COVID-19 vaccine (0.83; 0.59 to 1.16 for second dose, 0.77, 0.48 to 1.25 for third dose).
Conclusion:
In this nationwide SCCS, there was no association with the increased risk of PMR following COVID-19 vaccination. While these findings support the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, interpretation of the decreased risk of PMR should be cautious.
Insights
COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). This large-scale study found no association between COVID-19 vaccines and PMR, suggesting vaccine safety.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Limited large-scale data exists on polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) risk post-COVID-19 vaccination.
- Previous reports suggest potential, but unconfirmed, links between COVID-19 vaccines and PMR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between COVID-19 vaccination and the risk of developing polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
- Utilize a large national health database to assess PMR incidence following vaccination.
Main Methods:
- A self-controlled case series (SCCS) analysis was conducted using national health insurance data linked to a COVID-19 registry (February 2021 - August 2023).
- Adults aged 50+ receiving at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose were included, with PMR diagnosis within 240 days post-vaccination.
- Risk was assessed within 28 days post-vaccination compared to the remaining observation period, using incidence rate ratios (IRRs).
Main Results:
- The study analyzed 44,818,078 COVID-19 vaccine recipients, identifying 376 PMR cases.
- Overall COVID-19 vaccination showed no increased risk of PMR (IRR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.59-0.94).
- A slight reduction in PMR risk was observed after the first vaccine dose (IRR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.34-0.79), with no significant associations for subsequent doses.
Conclusions:
- This nationwide SCCS analysis found no evidence of an increased risk of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) following COVID-19 vaccination.
- The findings support the safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines concerning PMR.
- Caution is advised when interpreting the observed decreased risk of PMR post-vaccination.
