Should routine spirometry and lung function control be
performed in asthmatic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines state that routine
spirometry should be avoided, especially in high-risk areas of COVID-19
transmission. If spirometry needs to be performed, maximum PPE should be
used.133 The treatment of asthmatic patients can be
monitored using personal devices measuring forced expiratory volume and
peak expiratory flow. Many of these devices are equipped with remote
transmission functions and thus are amenable for the telemedicine
management of patients.137
Should asthma exacerbations be treated with
oral corticosteroids
during the COVID-19 pandemic?
There is no evidence suggesting that the current approach to treat
asthmatic patients during an exacerbation should change during the
COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, there is no proof that a short course of
systemic corticosteroids impacts the evolution of COVID-19. Thus, oral
corticosteroids should be given as usual for the treatment of an asthma
exacerbation.128,133In the few cases in which patients
are treated with long-term oral corticosteroids in addition to their
high dose inhaled corticosteroids this should be continued in the lowest
dose possible to prevent exacerbations.133 The cause
of the asthma exacerbation should be studied thoroughly to rule out
potential exacerbations due to viral infections.75