- This study looked at comparing intubations times for COVID-19 patients with and without asthma
- All patients data was gathered via EMR from the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago Illinois
- It was found that approximately 26% patients that tested positive and were a part of this study had asthma
- Ultimately, it was found that patients with asthma had longer intubation times than those without (10.17 ± 6.91 with asthma, and 5.29 ± 5.98 without)
- Additionally, it was found that younger patients with asthma (<65 years old) had significantly longer intubation periods compared to those with asthma
- It was also seen that patients with asthma tended to have longer hospitalizations than those without, particularly the 50 – 64 age group where asthma patients stayed in the hospital 2 days longer than those without


Asthma prolongs intubation in COVID-19

Asthma in COVID-19 Patients by Geographical Location

- This paper details the importance for those who are currently on medication for their asthma, to continue their treatment regimen
- It is mentioned that those with asthma who continue their daily medication are linked to better outcomes if they contract COVID-19
- Researchers looked at data from an ethical review database to determine the rate of adherence of patients to their asthma treatment regimen since the beginning of 2020 to March 25th and found that there was a 14.5% increase in adherence to treatment (Figure 1)
-  The median age range of this analysis was 40.0 years of age, however the results remained similar when the range was adjusted for age and the amount on individuals reviewed was 7578 people
- While this study reviews data taken from an ethical review database, this data may not entirely be accurate to everyone

Changes in medication adherence among patients with asthma and COPD during the COVID-19 pandemic

- This paper details the hypothesis that asthma may act as a protective comorbidity against the infection of COVID-19
- In asthmatics, there is high level of Th2 cells already present near the lungs to assist with lowering the severity of eosinophilic inflammation brought on upon by asthma
- The presence of these cells could assist with the mediation of immune system responses brought on by COVID-19 including hyperactive I IFN expression
- IFN also plays a large role in COVID-19 immune response as it signals for many downstream effects, including cytokine storm syndrome 
- Since cytokine storm syndrome has been directly linked to more severe COVID-19 cases with worse outcomes, the suppression of hyper IFN expression allows for asthmatics to see lower risk COVID-19 cases or even immunity to the virus all together, further illustrated in Figure 2

Is asthma protective against COVID-19?

- Asthma prolongs intubation in COVID-19
- Asthma in COVID-19 Patients by Geographical Location
- Changes in medication adherence among patients with asthma and COPD during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ohio State University, Columbus

- Respiratory System Disease in COVID-19 Patients by Geographic Location 
- Asthma as a Comorbidity of COVID-19

Respiratory System Disease as a Comorbidity of COVID-19

Respiratory System Disease in COVID-19 Patients by Geographic Location

- Hypertension: 10.9% 

- Cardiovascular Disease (other than hypertension): 2.7% 

- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: 1.8%

- Chronic Liver Disease: 1.8% 

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