Vaccination Against Pertussis, Tetanus and Diphtheria in Patients Suffering From Rheumatoid Arthritis
Vaccination Against Pertussis, Tetanus and Diphtheria in Patients Suffering From Rheumatoid Arthritis
Pertussis is an acute respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. Rates of recent
 B. pertussis infection between 8%--26% have been reported among adults with cough illness of
 at least 5 days duration who sought medical care. The CDC recommends vaccinating patients
 aged 15 to 64 years old, once in 10 years. Although acellular vaccines such as BOOSTRIX have
 been evaluated in healthy population, the safety and efficacy of this vaccine in patients
 suffering from rheumatic diseases have not been established.

 Study population : 50 Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients and 5 healthy controls

 Evaluation : the evaluation will be performed on week 0 and 4-6 weeks later. In terms of
 safety, the patients will be evaluated according to the Disease Activity Index (DAS). Blood
 will be drawn at each visit at tested for humoral response to tetanus and pertussis.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients suffering from RA

 -  Aged 18 to 64 years old

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Active disease requiring a change in drug regimen

 -  Known allergy to vaccine