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Effect of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Pediatric Bronchial Asthma Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Comparative Study
Manal Bawazeer1,2,3, Aljowhara F Saad4,3, Bushra S Aljuhani4,3
1Department of Pediatrics, King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital, Riyadh, SAU.
Insights
The COVID-19 lockdown significantly reduced asthma exacerbations in children, leading to fewer hospital and emergency room visits. This suggests improved asthma control during the pandemic due to reduced environmental triggers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns may reduce asthma exacerbations by decreasing air pollution and traffic.
- Limited data exists on the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on pediatric asthma.
- This study investigates the effects of lockdown measures on children with moderate to severe asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on pediatric patients with moderate to severe bronchial asthma.
- To analyze changes in asthma severity indicators before and during the lockdown period.
- To provide insights into asthma management strategies in the context of public health interventions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cross-sectional analytical study at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital (KASCH), Riyadh.
- Inclusion of pediatric patients (3-14 years) with moderate to severe asthma from March 2019 to May 2020.
- Assessment of asthma severity using hospital admissions, ER visits, and medication changes.
Main Results:
- A total of 343 pediatric asthma patients were analyzed.
- Hospital admissions decreased from 46 (85%) in 2019 to 17 (32%) in 2020.
- Emergency room visits reduced significantly (p < 0.001), with a mean decrease from 1.6±1.3 to 0.6 ±0.7.
- Oral steroid usage dropped from 28% to 15% in 2020.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 lockdown positively impacted pediatric asthma, evidenced by reduced hospitalizations, ER visits, and oral steroid use.
- Findings suggest a decrease in asthma severity during the lockdown period.
- A comprehensive post-pandemic approach is recommended for improved asthma management, including awareness and environmental trigger reduction.
Background:
The lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures may have decreased traffic and air pollution, which may contribute to reducing asthma exacerbation. However, there is not enough information about the relationship between asthma and COVID-19 lockdown, especially in children. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on pediatric patients with moderate to severe bronchial asthma.
Methods:
This is a retrospective cross-sectional analytical study of pediatric patients with moderate to severe asthma who came to King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital (KASCH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted for a period of 14 months from March 2019 to May 2020, using the charts of children aged 3 to 14 years. We investigated changes in the severity of asthma using indirect parameters including hospital visits, ER visits, and changes in medications used before and during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Results:
A total of 343 asthmatic patients aged mean±SD of 8±3 years were included in the study. More than half 233 (68%) of them were male. The number of patients admitted to the hospital in 2019 was 46 patients (85%), while in 2020, it was only 17 patients (32%). In 2020, the usage of oral steroids has been decreased from 96 (28%) to 50 (15%). The number of people using the leukotriene inhibitor reduced from 171 in 2019 to 162 in 2020. The ER mean visit was 1.6±1.3 in 2019; however, ER visits in 2020 were 0.6 ±0.7 showing a considerable reduction in the ER visits (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
The COVID-19 lockdown had a positive impact on asthma patients, with our study showing a significant reduction in ER visits, hospitalizations, and the use of oral steroids between March-May 2019 and 2020, suggesting lower asthma severity. However, a holistic approach is needed post-pandemic to improve asthma management, including increased awareness, better healthcare access, and reduction of environmental triggers to promote better control and overall well-being.
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