Pediatric asthma control during the COVID-19 pandemic

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns altered daily life, potentially affecting chronic disease management.
• Asthma patients, particularly children, may have experienced changes in their disease perception and treatment adherence.
• Understanding these impacts is crucial for managing pediatric asthma during public health crises.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate asthma control levels in children with asthma during the COVID-19 lockdown.
• To assess changes in maintenance therapy for pediatric asthma patients during the lockdown period.
• To compare asthma control and therapy adjustments in 2020 versus 2019.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 92 pediatric asthma patients was analyzed, comparing data from March-April 2019 and March-April 2020.
• Asthma control was assessed using the GINA-score, and maintenance therapy modifications were recorded.
• A subgroup of 13 children with severe asthma on Omalizumab therapy was separately evaluated.

Main Results:

• A significantly higher proportion of children modified their asthma maintenance therapy in 2020 compared to 2019 (38% vs. 15.2%).
• Both increases and decreases in therapy were observed, with significant p-values indicating these changes.
• Asthma control levels were significantly higher in 2020 compared to 2019 (p < .05 for both March and April).
• Children with severe asthma treated with Omalizumab maintained good control during the lockdown.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown significantly influenced asthma control and therapeutic approaches in pediatric asthma patients.
• Despite therapy modifications, children with asthma demonstrated improved control during the lockdown.
• These findings highlight the dynamic interplay between environmental factors, patient behavior, and asthma management in children.