Experiences of COVID Infection and Vaccination in Those with Sjogren’s

September 3, 2021

This week, Rheumatology International published a study on the impact of COVID-19 infection and vaccination in patients with Sjogren’s syndrome. 

The study included 137 participants who completed an online questionnaire-based survey. 31 patients responded that they previously experienced a COVID-19 infection, one of which had been completely asymptomatic. 17 patients said their symptoms lasted for at least two weeks, with the most frequent long-lasting symptoms being fatigue (40%) and weakness (36%). While three participants were hospitalized, none required admission into the ICU. 

Symptoms specific to Sjogren’s patients included more severe eye, oral, and nasal dryness (32%, 40%, and 32%, respectively). 

Additionally, 53 participants received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and cited pain at the injection site, weakness, and myalgia as the most prevalent side effects. 10% of the study’s participants reported experiencing joint pain and fever, as well as aggravated dryness-related symptoms.
The most common reason for not getting vaccinated was feeling unsure of how the vaccine would impact their Sjogren’s diagnosis.