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Insufficient awareness and vaccination practices for inflammatory bowel disease patients in China: A multi‐center survey of Chinese gastroenterologists
Author(s) -
Li Shu Yan,
Li Pei Wei,
Shen Bo,
Zhi Min,
Gu Yu Bei,
Wang Xin Ying,
Guo Hong,
Li Yue,
Fan Yi Hong,
Yang Bo Lin,
Xue Meng,
Wang Xiao Ying,
Lv Min Fang,
Li Yan,
Ye Bin,
Zhu Xin Jian,
Chen Yan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of digestive diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1751-2980
pISSN - 1751-2972
DOI - 10.1111/1751-2980.12834
Subject(s) - medicine , vaccination , immunization , hepatitis b , inflammatory bowel disease , hepatitis a , disease , immunology , hepatitis , family medicine , antibody
Objective The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been increasing worldwide, and the risk of infection has increased due to the use of immunosuppressive and biologic medications. Some of these infections can be prevented with vaccinations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vaccination practices of Chinese gastroenterologists for patients with IBD. Methods Questionnaires based on quick response codes were sent using email and the WeChat platform to gastroenterologists at 20 hospitals in China. The vaccination practices of the gastroenterologists, including vaccinating for hepatitis B, hepatitis A, and varicella, were assessed. Results Of the 468 gastroenterologists who received the questionnaire, 307 (65.6%) completed it. Of the gastroenterologists who were most concerned about hepatitis B; 83.4% always or frequently asked about an infection history, 53.7% took an immunization history, and 73.6% tested patients for hepatitis B infection. However, few gastroenterologists did so for hepatitis A or varicella. The proportion of patients who were asked about an infection and immunization history and tested for varicella infection was 16.0%, 15.0%, and 9.4%, respectively. Only a few gastroenterologists recommended vaccination for patients without an infection before IBD medical treatment (26.7% for hepatitis A, 45.6% for hepatitis B, and 28% for varicella vaccination). Conclusion Vaccination practices for patients with IBD used by Chinese gastroenterologists vary greatly, suggesting that education about immunization is needed.