The following is a summary of “Do SMS/e-mail reminders increase influenza vaccination of rheumatoid arthritis patients under anti-TNF: a nested randomized controlled trial in the ART e-cohort,” published in the November 2024 issue of Rheumatology by Yann Nguyen et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the impact of short message service (SMS) and email reminders on influenza vaccination rates in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on anti-TNF therapies. 

They performed a nested randomized controlled trial within the ART e-cohort, a French nationwide multicentre cohort of patients with RA receiving anti-TNF therapy. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1, with age stratification, and received regular SMS and/or email reminders to receive the influenza vaccine during the campaign. After the intervention, all participants completed a questionnaire. The primary outcome was influenza vaccination coverage, and secondary outcomes included vaccination rates before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and factors linked to vaccination. 

The results showed that 446 participants were randomized (224 in the intervention group, 222 in the control group). Of 325 participants reporting vaccination status, 221 (68%) were vaccinated: 73% in the intervention group vs 63% in the control group (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.95–1.23). Vaccination rates before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were similar (72% vs 72%; 95% CI -8% to 8%). Age ≥65 years (OR 6.25; 95% CI 2.88–13.60) and prior influenza vaccination (OR 7.81; 95% CI 4.36–14.02) were associated with higher vaccination rates. 

They found that SMS and email reminders did not significantly improve influenza vaccination rates in the cohort. The COVID-19 pandemic did not notably affect vaccination coverage, likely due to already high rates. 

Source: academic.oup.com/rheumatology/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/rheumatology/keae599/7907195