Nune et al. reports on New-Onset Rheumatic Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases Following COVID Vaccinations, mainly Pfizer BioNTech mRNA technology vaccine

Evidence is accumulating (as in this Nune study) that COVID-19 Vaccines 'May Trigger' Rheumatic Inflammatory Diseases

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/11/10/1571

‘investigated the demographics, management, and prognosis of new R-IMIDs in adults following SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations.

…A total of 271 cases were reported from 39 countries between January 2021 and May 2023. The mean age of patients was 56 (range 18–90), and most were females (170, 62.5%).

…Most (153, 56.5%) received the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

…Nearly 50% of patients developed R-IMID after the second dose of the vaccine.

…Vasculitis was the most prevalent clinical presentation (86, 31.7%), followed by connective tissue disease (66, 24.3%).

…The mean duration between the vaccine’s ‘trigger’ dose and R-IMID was 11 days. Most (220, 81.2%) received corticosteroids; however, 42% (115) received DMARDs such as methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, tocilizumab, anakinra, IV immunoglobulins, plasma exchange, or rituximab.

…Complete remission was achieved in 75 patients (27.7%), and 137 (50.6%) improved following the treatment.

…Two patients died due to myositis.’