Previous studies suggested that the prevalence of chronic respiratory disease in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 was lower than its prevalence in the general population.

The aim of this study was to assess whether chronic lung disease or use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) affects the risk of contracting severe COVID-19.

The risk of severe COVID-19 in people with asthma is relatively small.

Between Jan 24 and April 30, 2020, 8,256,161 people were included in the cohort and observed, of whom 14,479 (0·2%) were admitted to hospital with COVID-19, 1,542 (<0·1%) were admitted to ICU, and 5,956 (0·1%) died. People with COPD and interstitial lung disease appear to have a modestly increased risk of severe disease, but their risk of death from COVID-19 at the height of the epidemic was mostly far lower than the ordinary risk of death from any cause. Use of inhaled steroids might be associated with a modestly increased risk of severe COVID-19.

Read More