Rebound in asthma exacerbations following relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions

ABSTRACT

P80 Figure 1Generalised additive models showing trends in behaviours and acute respiratory infections (ARI) from November 2020 to April 2022 in UK adults with asthma. A, visits to indoor public places. B, visits to other households. C, use of face coverings. D, RT-PCR or antigen test-confirmed COVID-19. E, ARI testing negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR or antigen test. F, asthma exacerbations requiring treatment with systemic corticosteroids and/or hospitalisation. Dotted lines show 95% confidence intervals[Figure omitted. See PDF]ConclusionsRelaxation of COVID-19 restrictions coincided with decreased use of face coverings, increased social mixing and a rebound in ARI and asthma exacerbations. Associations between incident ARI and risk of exacerbation were similar for non-COVID ARI and COVID-19, both before and after emergence of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.ReferenceThorax, 2021. 76(9) p. 867–873.Please refer to page A214 for declarations of interest related to this .