Are COVID-19 patients with asthma at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 than the general population?
Patients with controlled asthma are not at higher risk of severe infection than the general population.129,130 In fact, ACE2 expression was shown to be decreased in patients with allergic asthma46 and in those receiving inhaled corticosteroids.131 However, ACE2 expression in asthmatic patients was increased in African-Americans, in males and associated with diabetes.46 On the other hand, uncontrolled asthma is a risk factor, thus all efforts should be focused on treating asthma by regular use of controller medication, including inhaled corticosteroids and biologicals.132