Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
The impact of COVID-19 on patients with asthma
José Luis Izquierdo1,2, Carlos Almonacid2,3, Yolanda González4
1Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Spain.
Insights
Patients with asthma and COVID-19 were older and had more comorbidities. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and biologics may offer protection against severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Data Science
Background:
- The disease burden of COVID-19 in asthma patients remains unclear.
- Previous studies suggest links between chronic conditions and COVID-19 severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with asthma.
- To identify risk factors and protective elements in asthma patients with COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Utilized big-data analytics and artificial intelligence via the SAVANA Manager platform.
- Analyzed clinical data from 71,182 asthma patients between January 1 and May 10, 2020.
Main Results:
- 1.41% of asthma patients contracted COVID-19; these patients were older, more frequently female, and had higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
- Allergy-related factors were less common in asthma patients with COVID-19.
- Lower use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) was observed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Conclusions:
- Older age and comorbidities increase COVID-19 risk in asthma patients.
- Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and biologics appear safe and may protect against severe COVID-19.
Background:
An association between the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the presence of certain chronic conditions has been suggested. However, unlike influenza and other viruses, the disease burden of COVID-19 in patients with asthma has been less evident.
Objective:
To understand the impact of COVID-19 in patients with asthma.
Methods:
Using big-data analytics and artificial intelligence through the SAVANA Manager clinical platform, we analysed clinical data from patients with asthma from January 1 to May 10, 2020.
Results:
Out of 71 182 patients with asthma, 1006 (1.41%) suffered from COVID-19. Compared to asthmatic individuals without COVID-19, patients with asthma and COVID-19 were significantly older (55 versus 42 years), predominantly female (66% versus 59%), smoked more frequently and had higher prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidaemias, diabetes and obesity. Allergy-related factors such as rhinitis and eczema were less common in asthmatic patients with COVID-19 (p<0.001). In addition, higher prevalence of these comorbidities was observed in patients with COVID-19 who required hospital admission. The use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) was lower in patients who required hospitalisation due to COVID-19, as compared to non-hospitalised patients (48.3% versus 61.5%; OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.44-0.77). Although patients treated with biologics (n=865; 1.21%) showed increased severity and more comorbidities at the ear, nose and throat level, COVID-19-related hospitalisations in these patients were relatively low (0.23%).
Conclusion:
Patients with asthma and COVID-19 were older and at increased risk due to comorbidity-related factors. ICS and biologics are generally safe and may be associated with a protective effect against severe COVID-19 infection.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:30Asthma-IV: Nursing Management
First, in...
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include: