I diabetologi italiani e le vaccinazioni anti-influenzale e anti-difterite-tetano-pertosse nei soggetti con diabete mellito: la survey di AMD

Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased incidence of some infections and a greater severity and/or frequency of complications related to these diseases. Influenza is characterized by an increased severity of clinical course and risk of complications, especially in diabetic patients who are more susceptible to influenza infection. For these reasons, the Italian Vaccine Prevention Plan 2017-19 provides an active and free offer of influenza vaccine for the diabetic subjects. In addition, among the vaccinations recommended by the Italian Prevention Plan in adults, including the diabetes ones, there is the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine and the decennial booster. To investigate what is the perception of Italian diabetologists on the role and importance of the influenza and the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines, AMD has promoted an online survey. Participants claimed to be aware of the importance of carrying out and recommending influenza vaccination, while awareness of the usefulness of performing and suggesting the decennial booster for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis was lower. Diabetologists attribute to patients’ resistance and lack of interest in such vaccinations the main motivation for which they are not used to recommend them, even if they acknowledge that they have little knowledge about the decennial booster of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine. The survey shows that the percentage of patients with diabetes who seek advice on these vaccinations is inadequate and the diabetologists’ knowledge of the National Vaccination Prevention recommendations and the need to actively promote vaccinations is inappropriate. This survey has allowed to highlight the opinion, of a significant percentage of Italian diabetologists, on some key aspects of the vaccination therapy indicated in diabetic patient, allowing to gather important information to open a debate, to know strengths and weaknesses on this topic and implement training activities.