COVID-19 and COPD: a narrative review of the basic science and clinical outcomes

• Published in: European respiratory review Vol. 29; no. 158; p. 200199
• Main Authors: Higham, Andrew, Mathioudakis, Alexander, Vestbo, Jørgen, Singh, Dave
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England European Respiratory Society 31.12.2020
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Comorbidity; Coronavirus Infections - diagnosis; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - therapy; COVID-19; Disease Progression; Disease Susceptibility; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Incidence; Middle Aged; Pandemics - statistics & numerical data; Pneumonia, Viral - diagnosis; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Pneumonia, Viral - therapy; Prognosis; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - diagnosis; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - epidemiology; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - therapy; Respiratory Function Tests; Reviews; Risk Assessment; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - diagnosis; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - epidemiology; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Factors
• ISSN: 0905-9180; 1600-0617; 1600-0617
• DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0199-2020

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Clinical outcomes, including mortality, are worse in males, older individuals and patients with comorbidities. COPD patients are included in shielding strategies due to their susceptibility to virus-induced exacerbations, compromised pulmonary function and high prevalence of associated comorbidities. Using evidence from basic science and cohort studies, this review addresses key questions concerning COVID-19 and COPD. First, are there mechanisms by which COPD patients are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection? Secondly, do inhaled corticosteroids offer protection against COVID-19? And, thirdly, what is the evidence regarding clinical outcomes from COVID-19 in COPD patients? This up-to-date review tackles some of the key issues which have significant impact on the long-term outlook for COPD patients in the context of COVID-19.