Evaluating the associations among asthma, asthma control and long COVID in U.S. adults

This study aimed to evaluate (1) the association between asthma and long COVID among U.S. adults and (2) the association between asthma control and long COVID among U.S. adults with asthma.

Data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey were used. Adults aged ≥ 18 years were included. Asthma control was measured by the history of asthma attacks and emergency room (ER) visits for asthma. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations. A sensitivity analysis was performed by stratifying long COVID severity.

A total of 258,237,552 adults were included in this study. The prevalence of long COVID among U.S. adults in 2023 was 8.2%. When stratified by the presence of asthma, the prevalence was 15.2% for those with asthma and 7.6% for those without asthma (P < 0.01). After adjusting for covariates, adults with asthma had higher odds of long COVID than those without asthma (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.37-1.83). This association was consistent across long COVID severity levels. Poor asthma control was associated with increased odds of long COVID (asthma attacks: OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.09-1.97; ER visits for asthma: OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.02-2.27).

Asthma was associated with increased odds of long COVID. Patients with poorly controlled asthma were associated with increased odds of long COVID. From a clinical perspective, it is crucial to proactively identify patients with asthma at increased risk of long COVID, especially those with certain comorbidities. Future research on specific symptoms and the duration of long COVID among patients with asthma will benefit clinical practice.