Rheum-CoV-2 Vaccination Case Series

Abstract

Objectives: In this case series, we present 5 cases of autoimmune rheumatic disease onset shortly after receiving mRNA vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: We identified 5 patients from Brooke Army Medical Center who developed new manifestations of rheumatic disease following the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations. All patients were initially seen in primary care and then referred to rheumatology for further evaluation and management. Clinical data were obtained through review of the electronic medical record.

Results: Three cases involve elderly women with insidious onset of symmetric wrist and hand polyarthritis with seropositivity for rheumatoid factor. One case involves an elderly woman with a subacute onset of lower extremity-predominant, symmetric polyarthritis. One case involves an elderly man with insidious onset of bilateral shoulder and hip stiffness and arthralgias in the setting of elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a rapid response to glucocorticoid therapy.

Conclusion: Whether there exists a causal or contributory relationship between COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and the development of autoimmune rheumatic disease remains to be determined. Ultimately, further research is needed to establish if there is a true connection between the two.