Difficulty in recruiting

This research project aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on asthmatic patients, particularly focusing on whether the viral infection exacerbates asthma or affects control and lung function in the short to medium term. The study plans to collect and compare data from two groups of asthmatic individuals - those who have experienced a SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring emergency consultation or hospitalization and a matched control group without such infection. Both groups will be followed for one year, with lung function tests conducted at six months and monitoring of exacerbations and changes in Asthma Control Test (ACT) throughout the year. The objective is to enhance understanding of how COVID-19 affects asthmatic patients, leading to improved recommendations, preventive measures, and treatment adjustments based on the study's findings.

The COVID19 pandemic is having an immeasurable impact on the economy and on morbidity and mortality. Knowledge and scientific evidence about this disease is advancing rapidly, but it is not yet known whether asthmatic patients suffering from COVID19 have an exacerbation of asthma, or whether this viral infection has an impact on control and lung function in the short to medium term.

The aim of this study is to define the changes that occur in these two parameters in asthmatic patients suffering from COVID19. To this end, asthmatic patients who have suffered a SARS-CoV-2 infection and who have required an emergency consultation or hospitalisation will be collected in a pneumology consultation and matched by age, sex and severity of asthma with a group that has not suffered the same. Both will be followed for one year, and lung function will be tested at six months and exacerbations and changes in ACT during the following year.

These data are intended to improve the available knowledge on the impact of IDVC19 on asthma patients with a view to making appropriate recommendations, prevention and treatment adjustments in line with the results obtained.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 12 -80 years
• Asthma diagnosis according to guidelines
• Follow up on asthma clinics in one of the participant hospitals

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other severe respiratory condition independent of asthma

Patients between the ages of 12 and 80 diagnosed with asthma according to current guidelines (GEMA/GINA), of any level of severity, will be recruited and followed up in Pneumology consultations at participating hospitals. The study cohort would be patients with these criteria who have needed to consult the Emergency Department or be admitted for COVID19 (suggestive symptomatology + CRP and/or positive serology) in the six months prior to the visit. The control group would be a cohort of asthmatic patients matched by age, severity and sex, who have not suffered COVID19 or compatible symptoms.