Incidence of new-onset bronchial asthma in post-COVID patients with persistent respiratory symptoms

Background: The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an ongoing global healthcare challenge that has caused morbidity and mortality at unprecedented levels. Studies have estimated that approximately 10% of all patients who have recovered from COVID-19 are suffering from persistent symptoms of cough, dyspnea, and fatigue over months after the acute infection. Many patients reported persistent airway symptoms post-COVID. Since the post-COVID pulmonary complications are evolving and challenging, a study was carried out to assess post-COVID new-onset asthma in adults. Objectives: To assess the incidence of new-onset asthma following COVID-19 in adults. Methods: A prospective observational study including all adult patients admitted or treated on an out patient department (OPD) basis for COVID-19 was carried out. All patients on follow-up who reported with airway symptoms (cough, wheezing, breathlessness, or chest tightness) with no prior diagnosed obstructive/restrictive airway disease were included in the study and followed up for a duration of 01 years. New-onset asthma was diagnosed based on symptomatology and assessed as per Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. Results: Among 411 patients with airway symptoms post-COVID-19, 9.4% (n = 97) developed new-onset bronchial asthma on follow-up. Conclusion: Asthma in patients’ post-COVID-19 disease is not uncommon, and detailed evaluation and follow-up are instrumental in instituting timely and correct therapy and in providing symptomatic relief to patients.