Inhaled corticosteroids may have a protective effect against coronavirus infection

Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2021 Jan 2;49(1):113-117. doi: 10.15586/aei.v49i1.40. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Background: Spain has been severely affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, with 195,944 persons infected and 20,453 deaths at the time of writing. Older people with respiratory or cardiac conditions are most at risk.

Objective: The aim was to compare respiratory symptoms in nursing home residents and patients with uncontrolled asthma, who are considered vulnerable to COVID-19.

Methods: We studied 134 nursing home residents and 139 patients with uncontrolled asthma, groups vulnerable to COVID-19. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, outcomes, key laboratory results, and radiological images were collected from medical records. COVID-19 infection was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: Thirteen (9.3%) patients with uncontrolled asthma, all receiving inhaled corticosteroids were infected by COVID-19. Eighty (60%) nursing home residents were infected; only 28, all of whom had received inhaled corticosteroids, had a good prognosis.

Conclusions: Early treatment with inhaled corticosteroids may be helpful in COVID-19 infection. Persons with an allergy might have some protective mechanisms against coronavirus.

Keywords: COVID; Th2 cell immunity; allergy; asthma severe; coronavirus; coronavirus infection; corticosteroids; nursing home; telemedicine.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / virology
  • COVID-19 / diagnostic imaging
  • COVID-19 / physiopathology
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Homes
  • Prognosis
  • Spain

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones