Characterizing the Association Between Asthma and Clinical Outcomes in Emergency Department Patients With Symptomatic...

Few studies have investigated the risks of developing intubation and death in patients seen in the emergency department (ED) with COVID-19 and pre-existing asthma. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network (CCEDRRN) from March 1st, 2020, to December 31st, 2021. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 and a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. The primary outcome was a composite of intubation or death, and the secondary outcome was severe COVID-19, as defined by the World Health Organization. Multivariable modified Poisson regression was used to assess the association between asthma and outcomes, adjusted for possible confounding. Out of 38,139 patients, 2,826 (7.41%) had asthma, and 17.1% were using inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). The study found no significant evidence suggesting an association between asthma and intubation or death in the hospital (relative risk (RR): 0.97; 95% CI: 0.86-1.1). The highest risk group for the primary outcome was patients aged 80+ years (RR: 10.54; 95% CI: 7.01-15.85), compared to the reference group 18-29 years. Users of ICS agents had a slightly higher risk of the primary outcome compared to non-ICS users (RR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01-1.25).