Effect of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the control and severity of pediatric asthma.

BACKGROUND: The novel disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused an unprecedented global pandemic. Care providers of asthmatic children are increasingly con-cerned; as viral infections are one of the primary triggers of asthma flare-up. However, the effect of SARS-CoV-2 as well as the generated worldwide lockdown on asthmatic children is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of pandemic SARS-CoV-2 in pediat-ric asthma control. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, open, transversal study was performed at five ter-tiary hospitals. Recruited patients were aged <18 years and had physician-diagnosed asthma. Information regarding the 2019 and 2020 seasons were provided. RESULTS: Data were collected from 107 children (age range: 3-18 years, mean age: 12 years). Well-controlled asthma was observed in 58 (54.2%) patients in 2020 versus 30 (28%) in 2019, and 15 (14%) patients had poorly controlled asthma in 2020 versus 28 (26.2%) in 2019. In 2020, a decrease in exacerbations caused by allergies to pollen, dust mites, molds, and through other causes not related to SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed. An increase in exacerbations was observed due to animal dander, stress, physical exercise, and SARSCoV-2 infection. Children had a reduced need for asthma-controlling medication, made fewer visits to healthcare providers and had lesser need of treatment with oral corticosteroids if compared with the same season of 2019. CONCLUSION: Pediatric asthma control improved, the need for controller medication declined, and fewer visits to healthcare providers were made during the pandemic if compared with the 2019 season.

Real-life impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on the management of pediatric and adult asthma: A survey by the EAACI Asthma Section.

BACKGROUND: The restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic impact heavily the management of chronic diseases like asthma. This study aimed to evaluate the management of adults and children with asthma during COVID-19-related lockdown. METHODS: A survey was launched by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) via e-mail, website, and social media to EAACI members and members of peer societies. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 339 healthcare professionals from 52 countries. 79% of follow-up consultations were replaced by phone calls, whereas 49% of newly referred patients attended the clinic. 62%, 76%, 66%, 76%, and 87% of responders did not conduct spirometry, impulse oscillometry, bronchodilator test, FeNO, or methacholine provocation, respectively, for asthma diagnosis in adults. The numbers were similar for children. 73% of responders based the initial asthma diagnosis and the prescription of inhaled therapy on clinical parameters only. Lung function tests were used in 29% of cases to monitor asthma worsening, and only 56% of participants were recommended to their patients ambulatory peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements. Using a 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much) scale, the responders considered that the quality of healthcare provided and the patients' asthma status had deteriorated during the lockdown with 3.2 points and 2.8 points, respectively. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these results suggest that all necessary resources should be allocated to ensure the performance of lung function tests for initial diagnosis, whereas digital remote monitoring should be reinforced for the follow-up of children and adults with asthma.

Pediatric Asthma Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a National Survey.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic specialists were concerned about how to achieve the best control of pediatric asthmatic patients. Methods: A national survey was performed. Analysis of the mean of follow-up, complementary tests, health system (public/private/both), availability of severe asthma units, and geographic location (cities with high COVID-19 prevalence vs. other cities with low prevalence). Differences were analyzed using contingency tables and Pearson's chi-squared test. Results: We obtained 95 responses, mostly from cities with a high disease prevalence (39; 52%). Only 29 (38.6%) of respondents provided care in a severe asthma unit. Severe asthmatic children were followed up mainly by telephone (68; 90.7%) and by in-person visits (32; 42.7%). Face-to-face care was less frequent in cities with a high prevalence of COVID-19 when compared with smaller cities (P = 0.044). Some of the surveyed physicians had discontinued patient follow-up as they were caring for patients with COVID-19 (7; 9.3%). Of all specialists surveyed, 45.3% did not evaluate severe asthmatic children with any means of testing. Pulmonary function tests were scarcely implemented. Blood tests were the most common test performed (45.3%). Specialists working in a severe asthma unit carried out more pulmonary function tests (P = 0.019). Peculiarly, moderate persistent asthmatics underwent more spirometries in cities with a high prevalence rate (P = 0.03). Follow-up of asthmatic children during the pandemic was perceived to be reduced or altogether inexistent by 42.7% of respondents when compared with a similar season outside of this emergency situation. Remarkably, the perception that better management of asthma was delivered during the pandemic by those working in cities with a high prevalence of COVID-19 versus other regions. Conclusions: Pediatric asthma control is crucial to decrease the future risk presented by the condition. New technologies and severe asthma units may become key tools in global health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.