Outcomes Similar for Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 With or Without Allergies

A new study has examined hospital data to determine whether those with allergic conditions had more severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related disease than those without, according to a presentation at this year’s virtual American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting.

"We examined the charts of 275 patients admitted to the hospital who tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus for any history of allergic disease," said lead study author and allergist Dylan Timberlake, MD, in a press release. "Over the two-month period when we examined the charts, we found the severity of disease didn't seem to differ between COVID-19 patients with allergies, versus COVID-19 patients without allergies."

Factors that were considered to determine severity of disease included ICU admission, length of stay, supplemental oxygen requirement, and intubation rate.

"In looking at the outcomes for patients based on allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, eczema, and food allergy, we didn't find significant differences in the numbers of interventions needed for those with allergies versus those without when it came to COVID-19," said study co-author and allergist Mitchell Grayson, MD, in a press release.

In the study, more patients with allergies had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a known risk factor for severe disease with COVID-19. Further, after statistically controlling for the presence of COPD and its association with more severe COVID-related illness, the researchers found a statistical trend suggesting possible protection in those with pre-existing allergic disease but not asthma.

REFERENCE

With or without allergies, outcomes similar for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/acoa-wow110420.php. Published November 13, 2020. Accessed November 13, 2020.