AGNES ANDREASON: Impact of COVID-19 and post COVID-19 symptoms in patients with asthma and COPD

Project description

Background

Asthma and COPD are two chronic and severe public health diseases that cause increased mortality and morbidity. Patients with obstructive lung disease, asthma, and COPD often experience exacerbation of their chronic lung disease due to respiratory infections and are more susceptible to infections. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is officially over, a growing number of people have persistent symptoms after COVID-19, referred to as post-COVID-19 condition. In Sweden, it is estimated that more than 2.5 million people have had COVID-19, which indicates that many are at risk to develop persistent symptoms.

Aim

The aim of this project is to investigate how patients with asthma and COPD were affected by COVID-19 from different aspects. The first study investigates long-term symptoms after COVID-19 infection in patients with COPD and asthma. The second study focuses on disease control. The third study addresses sick leave due to COVID-19 and the fourth study examines quality of life in relation to COVID-19.

Method

Data for this study comes from the PRAXIS study which has been ongoing since 2005 and includes eight regions in central Sweden. The study population was created through a random selection of approximately 2,500 asthma and COPD patients from 100 primary healthcare centers and 14 hospitals. Collected data consists of self-reported information from questionnaires, review of medical records, and data from registers. Study 1 and 4 are cross-sectional studies, and study 2 and 3 have a longitudinal study design.