Respiratory disease, and treatment / thematic poster session inhaled corticosteroid was not associated with poor prognosis in COVID-19

RATIONALE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a worldwide pandemic. The effects of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) on COVID-19 are controversial. We aimed to examine clinical outcomes according to premorbid ICS in COVID-19. METHODS: COVID-19 patients at least 18 years old were assessed using nationwide health insurance data. Comorbidities were evaluated using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Baseline characteristics including inhaler use and comorbidity were obtained. Outcomes ofCOVID-19 were assessed, such as hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality. RESULTS: ICS was used by 2.8% of COVID-19 patients before they were confirmed to be infected with COVID-19. ICS users were older (53.7 vs. 47.7, p < 0.001) and had higher CCI scores (2.1 vs. 0.9, p < 0.001). The ICU admission rate and hospital LOS did not significantlydiffer between the two groups. Mortality was higher in ICS users than nonusers (9.7% vs. 3.1%). In the adjusted analyses, ICS was not associated with mortality in COVID-19. Factors contributing to COVID-19 mortality were older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.12;95% confidenceinterval [CI] 1.11-1.14;p < 0.001), male sex (OR 2.31;95% CI 1.69-3.16;p < 0.001), higher CCI score (OR 1.30;95% CI 1.20-1.41;p < 0.001), and medical aid insurance (OR 1.54;95% CI 1.03-2.31;p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Mortality was significantly associated with age, male sex, CCI score, and socioeconomic status. ICS was not associated with poor outcomes in COVID-19.