Association of COVID-19 vaccinations with osteoarthritis flares: A case-crossover study
Authors' conclusion
The lack of positive association between COVID-19 vaccination and OA flare in any primary or secondary analysis provides reassurance regarding the use of COVID-19 vaccines in people with OA.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with osteoarthritis (OA) enrolled in a COVID-19 Rheumatology Registry136 contributed flare and control period
- Participants
- 279 adults
- Exposure
- Vaccine exposure in 2-, 7- and 14-day lookback windows before OA flares vs similar non-flare (control) periods
- Outcome
- Association of COVID-19 vaccination with OA flares
Methodological detailsregistry-based, self-report and electronic health records (EHR) vaccine data
- Registry-based
- Self-report and EHR vaccine data
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
OA flare after COVID-19 vaccination, by lookback window
Flare periods vs Control periodsOdds ratio (95% CI)P value
2-day lookback window
0.69(0.28–1.66)
7-day lookback window
0.54(0.27–1.07)
14-day lookback window; fewer flares after vaccination
0.57(0.34–0.97)
P = 0.039Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Stratified analyses (sex, age, knee or hand OA, vaccine brand, dose)
- No increased association between COVID-19 vaccination and OA flares
Original publication
Association of COVID-19 vaccinations with osteoarthritis flares: A case-crossover study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. Published 22 January 2025. doi:10.
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