The Management of Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases and Other Comorbidities in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review

Abstract

An increase in the risk of developing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been identified so far, and the frequency of airway diseases has not increased in patients with COVID-19. Interestingly, patients with asthma and COPD are not admitted to hospital because of exacerbations due to SARS-CoV2 infection. Reasons such as the fact that these patient groups are mostly isolated at home and the potential protective effect of inhaled corticosteroid use in the treatment of COVID-19 disease may have led to a lower rate of being infected with CoV than expected. Information on the severity of COVID-19 in patients with severe asthma using biologic agents is limited. In light of the studies published so far, it seems that severe illness for COVID-19 in patients with airway diseases is associated with advanced age and co-existing comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea and cardiovascular diseases. That's why, management of comorbidities is also an important issue. In general, while the risk of death associated with COVID-19 does not increase in asthmatic patients, it is stated that the risk of hospitalization, severe pneumonia and mortality are increased in the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infected COPD patient group. International guidelines recommend that patients with asthma and COPD may continue their current therapy and follow prevention measures that apply to all individuals. Ensuring optimal control of diseases and comorbidities and increasing daily physical activity will support the control of the risk in case of a possible infection.