According to a recent meta-analysis, COPD is associated with a more than fivefold increased risk for severe COVID-19 infection. Patients with COPD should be encouraged to take restrictive measures in order to minimize potential exposure to coronavirus.
Guidance from the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) states that no scientific evidence supports avoidance of inhaled or oral corticosteroids in patients with COPD during the COVID-19 pandemic. A review of clinical evidence regarding the use of corticosteroids in patients with COPD or asthma concluded that the benefits of continuing inhaled or oral corticosteroid treatment outweigh the uncertain risks associated with COVID-19.
GOLD's recommendations for COPD during the COVID-19 pandemic state that oxygen therapy should be provided following previous, standard recommendations. These recommendations state that supplemental oxygen should be administered to patients with COPD who have PaO2 < 55 mm Hg or SaO2 < 88%, or who have PaO2 > 55 mm Hg but < 60 mm Hg with right heart failure or erythrocytosis.
For more guidance on COVID-19, see our resource center.
Medscape © 2020 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Zab Mosenifar. Fast Five Quiz: COPD Key Aspects - Medscape - Aug 10, 2020.
Comments