Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Patients with Asthma: Case Study from a Tertiary Center Regarding Their Phenotypes and Their Adherence to Asthma Treatment by Telemedicine

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in a tertiary outpatient clinic of asthma patients, to find the predisposing asthma phenotype to coronavirus disease 2019, and to see their adherence to asthma treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional, real-life study was conducted via phone interviews with the patients being followed in the asthma outpatient clinic. From the files of the patient, information was obtained about their demographics, asthma phenotype, co-­morbidity, prick tests, spirometry test results, and their medications at the last visit before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Information about asthma exacerbations, asthma control test, asthma treatment adherence, and history of coronavirus disease 2019 were obtained via telephone interviews. RESULTS: Of the 573 patients with asthma, 13 (2.26%) had coronavirus disease 2019 history. The mean age of patients with asthma and coronavirus disease 2019 was 51.84 ± 14.92 years. Two patients were on mepolizumab and 1 was on omalizumab treatment. Mean asthma control test was 19.84 ± 2.73. Lack of adherence was reported in 8% of all patients with asthma compared to 23% in the patients who had coronavirus disease 2019. Asthma exacerbation was seen during the course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in 3 of 13 patients with asthma. Asthma exacerbations were reported during the period of 1 month following coronavirus disease 2019 in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: The most common asthma phenotype in the cases of coronavirus disease 2019 was obese phenotype. Rates of using biological agents and non-adherence to the treatment were found to be higher. Asthma exacerbation may be seen during course of coronavirus disease 2019 albeit being less common.