TY - JOUR T1 - Impact of COVID-19 on people with asthma: a mixed methods analysis from a UK wide survey JF - BMJ Open Respiratory Research JO - BMJ Open Resp Res DO - 10.1136/bmjresp-2021-001056 VL - 9 IS - 1 SP - e001056 AU - Keir Elmslie James Philip AU - Sara Buttery AU - Parris Williams AU - Bavithra Vijayakumar AU - James Tonkin AU - Andrew Cumella AU - Lottie Renwick AU - Lizzie Ogden AU - Jennifer K Quint AU - Sebastian L Johnston AU - Michael I Polkey AU - Nicholas S Hopkinson Y1 - 2022/01/01 UR - http://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/content/9/1/e001056.abstract N2 - Introduction The impact of acute COVID-19 on people with asthma appears complex, being moderated by multiple interacting disease-specific, demographic and environmental factors. Research regarding longer-term effects in this group is limited. We aimed to assess impacts of COVID-19 and predictors of persistent symptoms, in people with asthma.Methods Using data from an online UK-wide survey of 4500 people with asthma (median age 50–59 years, 81% female), conducted in October 2020, we undertook a mixed methods analysis of the characteristics and experience of those reporting having had COVID-19.Results The COVID-19 group (n=471, 10.5%) reported increased inhaler use and worse asthma management, compared with those not reporting COVID-19, but did not differ by gender, ethnicity or household income. Among the COVID-19 group, 56.1% reported having long COVID, 20.2% were ‘unsure’. Those with long COVID were more likely than those without long COVID to describe: their breathing as worse or much worse after their initial illness (73.7% vs 34.8%, p<0.001), increased inhaler use (67.8% vs 34.8%, p<0.001) and worse or much worse asthma management (59.6% vs 25.6%, p<0.001). Having long COVID was not associated with age, gender, ethnicity, UK nation or household income.Analysis of free text survey responses identified three key themes: (1) variable COVID-19 severity, duration and recovery; (2) symptom overlap and interaction between COVID-19 and asthma; (3) barriers to accessing healthcare.Conclusions Persisting symptoms are common in people with asthma following COVID-19. Measures are needed to ensure appropriate healthcare access including clinical evaluation and investigation, to distinguish between COVID-19 symptoms and asthma.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. All relevant data are included in this publication. No other data will be made available due to patient confidentiality. ER -