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Use of corticosteroids in asthma and COPD patients with or without COVID-19

Hasan SS 1 , Capstick T 2 , Zaidi STR 3 , Kow CS 4 , Merchant HA 5

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Pharmacy, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK. Electronic address: [email protected]
  • 2 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
  • 3 School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
  • 4 School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 5 Department of Pharmacy, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
Respir Med, 2020 05 26;170:106045.
PMID: 32843175 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2020.106045

Abstract

The potential detrimental effects of steroids on the immune system to fight viral infections had always been a concern for patients on long term steroids in chronic conditions. A recent warning from WHO on systemic corticosteroid use amid COVID-19 raised suspicion among public and healthcare professionals regarding the safety of steroid use during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The corticosteroids (inhaled and oral) are commonly prescribed in the management of asthma and COPD patients and any unsolicited changes in medications use may lead to potentially severe exacerbations and may risk patient lives. This article provides a critical review of clinical evidence and offers a detailed discussion on the safety and efficacy of corticosteroids in asthma and COPD patients, both with and without COVID-19.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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