EXAMINING WETHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS IN SEVERE ASTHMA PATIENTS
INCREASE THE PROBABILITY OF BEING INFECTED BY COVID-19
Abstract
Background: The pandemic caused by Coronavirus disease 2019, has caused
great impact worldwide. Risk factors for severe outcomes have been
identified, but asthma seems not to be one of them. Objectives: Our
principal purpose is to analyze personal characteristics in severe
asthma patients, in treatment with monoclonal antibody, belonging to the
Health Department of Castellon, in order to see if these variables
affect the probability of being infected by SARS-Cov-2. Methods: This is
an observational study. Patients recruited had severe asthma in
treatment with monoclonal antibody. A questionnaire was elaborated.
Aspects evaluated were: COVID-19 symptoms, asthma control, exposition to
the disease, and lifestyle before the pandemic. Serological tests were
done by using total SARS-Cov-2 antibody test. Results: 108 patients were
enrolled in the study, of whom 106 patients were included. 11 patients
declared suggestive COVID-19 symptoms. A total of 21 patients had a
serology test done, giving positive results 2 of them. 27 patients
needed medical attention, being asthma exacerbation the most common
symptom. 71,7% of patients had a normal or high level of social
activity before the pandemic. Statistic significance was achieved for
medical assistance, asthma control and contact with SARS-Cov-2 positive
patients. Conclusion: Personal external factors in severe asthma
patients do not influence the probability of being affected by the
disease. We can hypothesize that these patients do not have an increased
susceptibility for being infected by the virus. Bad asthma control was
the main reason for medical assistance during the pandemic.