Intest Res.  2023 Jul;21(3):363-374. 10.5217/ir.2023.00015.

Vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease–Asian perspectives: the results of a multinational web-based survey in the 8th Asian Organization for Crohn’s and Colitis meeting

• Park SB
• Kim KO
• Lee HS
• Choi CH
• Wei SC
• Chen MH
• Matsuoka K

• KMID: 2544759
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2023.00015

Abstract

Background/Aims
Long-term immunosuppressive therapies used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are associated with an increased risk of infections, many of which can be prevented by vaccination. We assessed physicians’ current approaches and clinical practices regarding vaccinations for IBD patients in different Asian countries/regions.
Methods
An internet-based survey was conducted among members of the Asian Organization for Crohn’s and Colitis from September 2020 to November 2020. The questionnaire consisted of 2 parts covering general opinion on the relevance of vaccinations and clinical practice of vaccination.
Results
Overall, 384 Asian medical doctors responded to the survey. The majority of respondents considered it very (57.6%) or sufficiently (39.6%) important to perform vaccinations as recommended by the guidelines. About half of the Asian physicians (52.6%) were usually or always performing vaccinations. The influenza vaccine was the most frequently recommended vaccine for IBD patients. Half of the respondents (51.3%) did not recommend hepatitis A vaccine, especially in China (61.6%) and Japan (93.6%). The diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine were never (35.2%) or rarely (29.4%) recommended.
Conclusions
The findings of this survey indicated similarities among countries/regions in terms of the current approaches and practices regarding vaccination of IBD patients; however, there are some differences that might reflect each country’s domestic vaccination guidelines and health insurance particularly with certain vaccines in some countries/regions. Although Asian physicians largely recommend vaccination, more awareness among doctors and Asian consensus regarding differences in IBD vaccination among countries/regions may be required.

Keyword

Inflammatory bowel disease; Vaccines; Surveys and questionnaires

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Set of question 1. (A-F) General opinions on the relevance of vaccinations. IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; IM, immunomodulator.

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  Fig. 2. Set of question 2. (A-I) Clinical practice of vaccination strategies. IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; HAV, hepatitis A virus; HBV, hepatitis B virus; HPV, human papilloma virus; VZV, varicella zoster virus; DTP, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; MMR, measles, mumps and rubella.

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