Effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Vero cells) on disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in China: a multicenter study

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on IBD activity.

Methods: Adult IBD patients from five large IBD centers in China were enrolled and followed up for 6 months. Patients were divided into vaccinated and unvaccinated groups according to vaccination status. Demographic and clinical data were collected.

Results: A total of 280 individuals (213 UC and 67 CD patients) were enrolled in the study. The unvaccinated and vaccinated groups of UC patients were comparable for basic characteristics, including age (t = - 0.8, p = 0.425), sex (χ² = 0.980, p = 0.322), course of disease (z = - 0.513, p = 0.608), surgical conditions (χ² = 1.042, p = 0.838), disease extent (χ² = 4.853, p = 0.088), or baseline drug therapy (χ² = 7.784, p = 0.064). In the subgroup of UC patients, there was no association between vaccination and disease activities, according to the medium disease activity scores for two groups: unvaccinated patients having scores (IQR) 1(2.75), 1(2), 1(2), and 1(2) at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, whereas vaccinated patients having scores (IQR) 1(2), 1(2), 1(2), and 1(2). Similar conclusions were also derived in the subgroup of CD patients. There were also no statistically significant differences in age (t = - 1.48, p = 0.144), sex (χ² = 0.003, p = 0.957), course of disease (z = - 0.074, p = 0.941), surgical conditions (χ² = 0.613, p = 0.594), localization (χ² = 6.261, p = 0.199), or baseline drug therapy (χ² = 5.881, p = 0.114) between 2 groups of CD patients. The medium disease activity scores (IQR) of the unvaccinated group at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months were 1(4), 1(3), 1(3), and 1(3), respectively, whereas those of vaccinated group were 2.5(3.75), 2.5(3.75), 3(2), and 2(2), respectively. Overall, very few participants in this study described worsening IBD disease activity requiring a change or addition of medication.

Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has no adverse effect on disease activity in IBD population. IBD patients should be recommended to receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in time.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; Disease activity; Inflammatory bowel diseases; SARS-CoV-2 vaccination; Ulcerative colitis.