# Respiratory infections and vaccination behaviors in patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases

> **NIH NIH K23** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 2022 · $152,335

## Abstract

Research: The risk of infection remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic
inflammatory skin diseases; however, baseline rates of infection, which may be altered due disease-associated
immune defects, impaired epidermal barrier function, other co-morbid diseases and behaviors, use of immune
suppressive treatment and suboptimal utilization of vaccines, are generally poorly defined. Specifically,
respiratory infections are relatively common causes of morbidity and mortality, and adherence with
immunization strategies against viral and bacterial causes of pneumonia in patients with chronic inflammatory
skin disease are not well understood. The purpose of this study is to: 1.Determine the risk of hospitalization
and evaluate risk factors for pneumonia in patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases 2.Compare the rate
of influenza and pneumonia vaccination among patients with chronic skin diseases to the vaccination rate in
the general population and identify predictors of vaccination 3.Determine beliefs regarding and perceived
barriers to vaccination in adults with chronic skin diseases. The overall objectives of this proposal are to
improve the care of patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases by identifying patients with chronic skin
diseases at highest risk for serious pneumonia and opportunities for prevention. Candidate: Megan Noe, M.D.,
MPH graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine in 2011. In 2015, she became a board certified
dermatologist after completing her dermatology residency at the University of Iowa. She is currently an
Instructor and Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, pursuing additional training in clinical
epidemiology. Dr. Noe’s long-term goal is to become a R01-funded independent investigator focused
decreasing infectious complications of chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Environment: During the award
period Dr. Noe will devote 80% of her time to clinical research and 20% to the clinical care of patients with
chronic inflammatory skin disease like psoriasis. Dr. Gelfand, the candidate’s primary mentor, has directly
supervised the training of numerous successful junior faculty members and Dr. Noe will benefit from his
experience and enthusiasm for cultivating the careers of junior scientists. The rich training environment and
expertise available in Dr. Gelfand’s laboratory and at the University of Pennsylvania, both in the Dermatology
Department and in the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, combine to provide an unparalleled
opportunity to begin a career as a physician scientist. Career Development: With the support of her advisory
committee, her training will focus on: administrative claims data analysis, qualitative research methods and
infectious disease epidemiology methods. Completion of the proposed research and career development plan
will give Dr. Noe the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve scientific independence, transiti...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10433848
- **Project number:** 5K23AR073932-05
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Megan H Noe
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $152,335
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10433848

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10433848, Respiratory infections and vaccination behaviors in patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases (5K23AR073932-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10433848. Licensed CC0.

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