Asthma and COVID-19: scientific brief, 19 April 2021

Overview

People with asthma (PWA) generally are considered at higher risk from respiratory infections, as is seen annually with influenza. At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, PWA were widely assumed to be at increased risk from COVID-19. However, as data emerged throughout 2020, the association between asthma and COVID-19 appeared less clear.

A rapid systematic review was undertaken to inform this scientific brief. The review set out to assess the available peer-reviewed literature regarding whether PWA are at increased risk of infection with the virus that causes COVID-19, and/or of experiencing complications or death. In particular, the review set out to analyse evidence on the following questions.

• Is asthma associated with increased risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 disease?
• Is asthma associated with hospitalization with COVID-19?
• Is asthma associated with the severity of COVID-19 outcomes?