CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA WITH COVID-19 PNEUMONIA

PURPOSE:The novel Sars-CoV-2 virus causes a viral pneumonia (COVID-19) and corticosteroids have been shown to prolong viral shedding and may increase mortality in viral pneumonias(1).Patients with asthma typically require inhaled corticosteroids.It is unknown if asthmatics will therefore have worse outcomes as a result.METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of asthmatics compared to the general population diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia from a multicenter health system in Kansas City.The primary outcome is admission to a hospital.Secondary outcomes include mechanical ventilatory support and in-hospital all-cause mortality. RESULTS:In this cohort, asthmatics had an average BMI of 32.9 +-3.2, as compared to 31.2+-0.8 in the general population.Mean age is 49.0 +-6.0 vs 54+-1.79.As of 5/1/2020 there have been 345 patients positive for COVID 19.24 have asthma.7/24 with asthma (29.2%) vs 79/321 non-asthmatics (24.6%, OR 1.26, p¼0.6) have required admission to a hospital.2/24 (8.3%) asthmatics have required mechanical ventilation vs 17/321 (5.2%, OR 1.49, p¼0.6) non-asthmatics.0 asthmatics have died and 7/ 321 (2.8%, OR 0.8, p¼0.9) non-asthmatics have died. CONCLUSIONS:In conclusion, based on this limited retrospective data, asthma does not appear to be a significant risk factor for hospital admission, mechanical ventilation, or death.CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Larger, prospective studies are needed to ensure asthmatics are not at increased risk of worse outcomes due to COVID-19.