Causal relationship between COVID-19 and the risk of asthma: A Mendelian Randomisation study (preprint)

Background Existing research has focused on new-onset asthma and viral infections, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). However, studies on whether COVID-19 can induce asthma are limited.Methods We performed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) to assess the potential causal relationship between COVID-19 and asthma using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data obtained from the COVID-19 Host Genetic Initiative GWAS Meta-analysis Round 5 (release date: 18 January 2021). Several methods (random-effects inverse variance weighted, weighted median, MR-Egger regression, and MR-PRESSO) were used to ensure the robustness of the causal effects. Heterogeneity was measured using Cochran's Q value. Horizontal pleiotropy was evaluated using MR-Egger regression and leave-one-out analyses.Results We observed a significant causal association between COVID-19 hospitalisation and asthma (odds ratio (OR) = 1.042, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.004–1.081, p = 0.031), indicating a significantly increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation associated with asthma. However, no statistically significant causal relationships were observed for COVID-19 susceptibility (OR = 1.023, 95% CI = 0.931–1.124, p = 0.637), COVID-19 severity (OR = 1.006, 95% CI = 0.978–1.035, p = 0.669), and asthma.Conclusions COVID-19 can trigger the onset of asthma. Individuals experiencing prolonged coughing, chest tightness, or difficulty in breathing long after recovery from COVID-19 should remain vigilant about the possibility of developing asthma.

Prevalence and factors associated with postpartum depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among women in Guangzhou, China: a cross-sectional study (preprint)

Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern. To date, there are limited studies that have investigated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among female population. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and it’s related factors among women in Guangzhou, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: : A cross-sectional study was performed from 30th March 2020 to 13th April 2020 using anonymous online questionnaire among 864 women at 6-12 weeks postpartum. The Chinese version of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a questionnaire regarding associated factors were administered to all participants. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors that were significantly associated with PPD. Results: : The prevalence of PPD among women at 6-12 weeks postpartum was 30.0%. A multivariate logistic regression model identified significant factors as: immigrant women, persistent fever, poor social support, concerns about contracting COVID-19 and certain precautionary measures. Conclusions: : The findings suggest the need for policies and interventions to not only mitigate the psychological impacts but also target disadvantaged sub-groups of women following childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic.