Risk of adverse outcomes in patients with underlying respiratory conditions admitted to hospital with COVID-19: a national, multicentre prospective cohort study using the ISARIC WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol UK
Analysis of data from CCP-UK (n=75,463) found those with severe asthma or COPD had increased mortality rates, after adjustment for a range of comorbidities. Use of inhaled steroids ≤2 weeks of admission was associated with decreased mortality in those with asthma aged ≥50 years
Source:
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine
SPS commentary:
The authors note that the results regarding the effects of inhaled corticosteroids differ from those of another large observational cohort (OpenSafely), and how both are at risk of misclassification and blinding. They note that several RCTs are underway to address the role of inhaled steroids in treating COVID-19 once patients have become infected with SARS-CoV-2, and that the available observational evidence should be interpreted with caution until the results from these are available.