In recent months, concerns have been raised about the potential link between COVID-19 vaccinations and the development of autoimmune diseases.
Specifically, there have been reports of an increased incidence of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) in individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine.
According to a recent study published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology, there has been a notable increase in IIM cases among patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While researchers found seven patients with IMM induced by COVID infection, they found nearly double, 13, induced by vaccination.
IIM is a group of rare autoimmune disorders that cause inflammation and damage to the muscles. Common symptoms of IMM include muscle weakness, fatigue, and difficulty performing everyday tasks. Treatment typically involves medications such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants to manage symptoms and prevent further muscle damage.
The authors also found an increased risk of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), a type of IIM autoimmune disorder characterized by muscle weakness and necrosis (tissue death), which they write “could be related to the infection or vaccination.”
It should be noted that the study authors’ review was limited to a six-month time range, only analyzing publications from July to December 2022.
Read the full study below:
