Are COVID-19 patients with asthma at a higher risk of
severe COVID-19 than the general population?
Patients with controlled asthma are not at higher risk of severe
infection than the general population.129,130 In fact,
ACE2 expression was shown to be decreased in patients with allergic
asthma46 and in those receiving
inhaled
corticosteroids.131 However, ACE2 expression in
asthmatic patients was increased in African-Americans, in males and
associated with diabetes.46 On the other hand,
uncontrolled asthma is a risk factor, thus all efforts should be focused
on treating asthma by regular use of controller medication, including
inhaled corticosteroids and biologicals.132