A Lethal Case of Acute Exacerbation of Rheumatoid Arthritis - Related Interstitial Lung Disease Induced by the COVID Vaccine

Rayan Mohamad; Rami Hallak; Imad Bou Akl; Hisham Bou Fakhreddine

doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2023.101959

A Lethal Case of Acute Exacerbation of Rheumatoid Arthritis - Related Interstitial Lung Disease Induced by the COVID Vaccine

Respir Med Case Rep. 2023 Dec 13:48:101959. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2023.101959. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Rayan Mohamad¹, Rami Hallak¹, Imad Bou Akl¹, Hisham Bou Fakhreddine¹

Affiliation

¹ Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Division, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Riad El-Solh, 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon.

Abstract

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) exacerbation is a serious condition that can have a high morbidity and mortality. Identifying the triggers of ILD exacerbations is very challenging. Several case reports described COVID-19 vaccine-induced exacerbation of underlying interstitial lung disease, namely idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. The clinical implications of this adverse effect is underrecognized. We are reporting a case of fatal respiratory failure in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis Interstitial Lung disease few days following the second dose of COVID vaccine. Identifying risk factors of this complication is of utmost importance to aid in the rapid recognition and early initiation of treatment.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine; Drug induced interstitial lung disease; Interstitial lung disease exacerbation; Rheumatoid arthritis-interstitial lung disease.

Publication types

Case Reports