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.