Risk of COVID-19-related death among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma prescribed inhaled corticosteroids: an observational cohort study using the OpenSAFELY platform
Study (n=148,557 COPD; n=818,490 asthma) does not support a major role for use of regular inhaled corticosteroids in protecting against COVID-19-related death (CVRD); the observed increased risks of CVRD can be plausibly explained by unmeasured confounding due to disease severity
Source:
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine
SPS commentary:
According to a commentary, this analysis does not completely resolve whether regular inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy for asthma or COPD either decreases or increases risk of death from COVID-19. It notes this finding is in contrast with the very real harm patients requiring ICS therapy for their asthma or COPD might be at risk if they stop treatment because of unfounded concerns related to their effects in COVID-19. It stresses that until more information is available, patients with asthma and COPD who are stable while using ICS must continue on their treatment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.