XP-3924, a novel, fixed-ratio co-formulation of pramlintide and standard insulin, was associated with significantly improved postprandial glycemic control among adults with 

this weekend, a team of investigators from the University of California – San Diego and Xeris Pharmaceuticals reported that the single-injection co-formulation of pramlitide and insulin may be an efficacious alternative to separate administrations of both key treatments in adults with T1D, particularly following meals.

As lead investigator Steven Victor Edelman, MD, of UCSD, and colleagues noted, there is a currently unmet need in simplified T1D glycemic control therapy.

“Pramlintide co-administration, used in conjunction with prandial insulin, has substantial clinical benefits to improve post-prandial glucose excursions, glycemic variability and time in range, but is associated with an increased injection burden that adversely affects adherence and persistence,” they wrote.

The team sought to evaluate XP-3924 for pharmacokinetics, glucose pharmacodynamics, and glycemic control effects in the phase 2, randomized, open-label, single-injection assessment.

Edelman and colleagues enrolled 18 adults with T1D to compare outcomes associated with the investigative co-formulation therapy to co-administration of regular insulin and pramlitide, as well as lone regular insulin.

They randomly allocated patients to a sequence of 3 treatments:

XP-3924, with 50% reduction of insulin based on insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio

Co-administration of regular insulin, with 50% reduction, plus a comparable pramlintide dose

Patients were administered therapy subcutaneously, 30 minutes before taking a 75 g oral glucose challenge, followed by a six-hour glucose level monitoring.

Following the glucose challenge, investigators observed a 62.3% reduction in hyperglycemia with XP-3924 versus regular insulin (

 <.001). Patients treated with the investigative co-formulation also reported comparable postprandial glycemic control to that observed with co-administered regular insulin plus pramlintide.

Mean absolute change in blood glucose following the oral challenge was less in XP-3924 versus both co-administration and regular insulin (197.7 mg/dL vs 230 mg/dL vs 254.2 mg/dL, respectively.

Investigators observed improved and longer pharmacokinetic of pramlintide in XP-3924 administration versus the co-administration method.

Treatment-emergent adverse events, including injection site reactions, nausea and vomiting, were comparable in both prevalence and severity across all treatment arms. Investigators did not report any drug-related serious adverse events in the patient population.

Edelman and colleagues concluded XP-3924 was well tolerated among patients with type 1 diabetes, and helped significantly improve postprandial glucose excursion and glycemic variability versus insulin.

“XP-3924 also exhibited a favorable PK and PD profile and may be a viable alternative to insulin and pramlintide co-administration to improve treatment adherence and overall glycemic control, especially after meals, addressing an unmet need in the clinical care of people with type 1 diabetes,” they concluded.

The study, “A Phase 2 Evaluation of a Novel Co-Formulation of Pramlintide and Regular Insulin to Improve Postprandial Glycemic Control in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D),” was presented at ENDO 2021.

Articles

Endocrine Society Annual Meeting

A single-injection co-formulation of pramlitide and insulin may be a better alternative to separate administrations of both key treatments in adults with T1D, particularly following meals.

Novel Pramlintide & Insulin Combination Therapy Benefits Type 1 Diabetes

A new survey revealed significant satisfaction with telehealth visits among 

In fact, many patients with chronic endocrine health problems who required close monitoring indicated a desire to continue telemedicine follow-up visits following the end of the 

coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Endocrine Society’s Annual Meeting (ENDO 2021)

Led by Maryam Nemati, MD, San Joaquin General Hospital, CA, the survey included 109 patients who initiated telehealth visits through video or phone. The investigative team also assessed endocrinology providers, gauging their experiences with the virtual formats.

All patient visits were carried out from January 2020 – May 2020, and experiences (as well as no-show rates) before and after the onset of the pandemic were assessed.

Among the patients, 65% expressed they would like to continue with telemedicine after the pandemic.

Furthermore, 42% of patients preferred video visits, while 37% preferred phone calls. As many as 77% indicated that the quality of care with telemedicine, regardless of modality, was almost the same as in-person visits.

In terms of time spent in visit, 45% said they liked spending less time with telemedicine. 

A majority (54%) noted that the duration of their telemedicine visit was about the same as in-person, and yet 54% also believed they spent less time with telemedicine.

Even more, an overwhelming majority (90%) indicated that all their questions and concerns were addressed through telemedicine.

However, a smaller proportion of patients reported no connectivity issues (37%) or technical difficulties (25%).

Compared to patients, a higher percentage of providers (75%) indicated desire to continue telehealth following the pandemic.

Furthermore, among those who wanted to continue with telemedicine, 50% reported that patient satisfaction was a benefit of telemedicine and 25% reported that it saved time. 

Nonetheless, 46% mentioned inability to perform a physical exam as a drawback, with 60% indicating that as a significant limitation for phone visits.

As for video visits, 40% of providers reported that connectivity issues were problematic.

And finally, 75% believed that quality of care was comparable between video and in-person modalities. However, when compared with phone visits, 87% of providers believed that in-person visits offered better quality of care.

The investigators also found that the no-show rate decreased from 30% to 27% following the initiation of telehealth visits.

“Telehealth can be more efficient for both patients and providers, but there are challenges with connectivity issues, particularly for patients and community hospitals in rural areas like our hospital.” Nemati said in a statement.

“These issues need to be addressed, possibly through collaborations with local government and insurance companies,” she continued.

The study, “Evaluating the Use of Telemedicine in Endocrinology Clinic,” was presented at ENDO 2021.

A majority of surveyed patients and providers want to continue telemedicine follow-up visits after the pandemic ends. 

Endocrinology Providers, Patients Express High Satisfaction with Telemedicine

Endocrine Society’s Annual Meeting (ENDO 2021) 

showed that treatment with MCB-613, a small molecule activator of steroid receptor co-activators (SRCs), can potentially repair heart tissue following a severe 

As such, damage leading to heart failure may be prevented.

Previous research has demonstrated that MCB-613 can stimulate SRCs, proteins that are responsible for cellular changes and growth.

“Members of the p160 SRC family, SRC-1 (NCOA1), SRC-2 (NCOA2/TIF2/GRIP1) and SRC-3 (NCOA3/AIB1/ACTR/pCIP), interact with nuclear receptors and other transcription factors to drive target gene expression by assembling transcriptional coactivator complexes to increase transcription,” explained the investigators, led by Lisa Mullany, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.

“This indicates a potential for SRC targeting drugs pertinent to cell migration, proliferation and survival- promoting paracrine interactions in cardiac tissue injury responses,” they continued.

They explained that MCB-613 selectively and reversibly binds to SRCs and can enhance SRC transcriptional activity, as demonstrated in mice.

“We postulated that MCB-613 could enable wound repair and preservation of cardiac function after an acute MI by reducing the extent of injury-related fibrosis and the subsequent chronic loss of cardiac function associated with non-contracting scar tissue,” Mullany and team wrote.

Thereforw, they administered MCB-613 to a mouse model 2 hours following ischemic injury.

They assessed measurements of functional cardiac output and damage as well as cell-type specific responses that are responsible for MCB-613’s cardio-protective effects. They did so by using single cell transcriptomics of cardiac interstitial cells so they could characterize the effects of SRC stimulation on cardiac function following myocardial infarction.

The team demonstrated that the SRC stimulator has the ability to attenuate pathological remodeling following myocardial infarction.

They observed that MCB-613 decreased infarct size, apoptosis, hypertrophy, and fibrosis. All the more, the investigators noted, significant cardiac function was maintained.

MCB-613 granted long-lasting protection from adverse remodeling while inhibiting macrophage inflammatory signaling and IL-2 signaling, attenuating fibroblast differentiation, and promoting Tsc22d3 expressing macrophages.

Doing so has the potential to reduce the acute inflammatory response and limit inflammatory damage.

“This is a remarkable discovery that may lead to effective and safe treatments to prevent the progression to heart failure after a heart attack,” Mullany said in a statement.  “Our findings show us that we can directly modulate heart tissue repair to prevent heart failure.”

These findings add to the growing body of research that indicates further analysis of SRCs as potential drug targets for the management of myocardial injury response outcomes is warranted. 

The study, “A Steroid Receptor Coactivator Stimulator MCB-613 Attenuates Adverse Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction,” was presented at ENDO 2021.

Stimulating steroid receptor co-activators may play a role in repairing heart tissue following severe myocardial infarction. 

Study Identifies Potential Targets for Prevention of Post-MI Heart Failure 

Persistent atypical thyroid gland inflammation may be prevalent in patients with 

, according to new findings from a three-month assessment conducted during the beginning of the pandemic.

In data presented by a team of Italian investigators at 

 this weekend, approximately one-third of an observed patient population to had been diagnosed with moderate to severe COVID-19 during the early outbreak in Europe was still experiencing signs of thyroid inflammation after 3 months, despite thyroid function having already normalized.

The dysfunction triggered by COVID-19 does not appear to be mediated by autoimmunity, investigators observed, and therefore warrants follow-up research in the event that patients may be at risk of permanent thyroid dysfunction.

Investigators, led by Ilaria Muller, MD, PhD, of the University of Milan, conducted a longitudinal follow-up study of patients to survive moderate to severe COVID-19 following hospitalization in acute medical units at a facility in Milan. Patients observed for this study had no history of thyroid disorders and/or treatment thereof.

Muller and colleagues assessed patients for serum thyroid function and autoantibodies, C reactive protein (CRP), full blood count (FBC), and thyroid ultrasound for every 3 months.

At the time of the ENDO 2021 presentation, 53 patients had been included in the follow-up trial. At 3 months following COVID-19 infection, all patients presented with increased median serum TSH concentrations from baseline. Serum concentrations of free-thyroxine, free0triiodothyronine, CRP, and FBC had normalized from baseline.

Negative autoantibodies to the TSH receptor were observed in all patients.

They observed atypical subacute thyroiditis in 15% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19—a significant increase from the 1% observed with such presentations in the same facility during spring 2019, prior to the pandemic.

“The atypical thyroiditis induced by COVID-19 is not associated with neck pain, affects more men than women and especially those severely ill, thus coexists with non-thyroidal illness syndrome,” investigators wrote. “Subacute thyroiditis is classically followed by subsequent occurrence of permanent thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity, thus we have started a systematic follow-up program of these patients.”

In a statement accompanying the findings, Muller stressed the importance of continued monitoring for such uniquely affected COVID-19 patients.

“It is important to know whether SARS-CoV-2 virus has late-onset negative effects on the thyroid gland, in order to promptly diagnose, and eventually treat, the condition,” Muller said.

The study, “Early Follow-up of Atypical Thyroiditis Induced by SARS-CoV-2,” was presented at ENDO 2021.

In ENDO 2021 data, approximately one-third of an observed COVID-19 patient population in Italy was still experiencing signs of thyroid inflammation after 3 months,

Atypical Thyroid Inflammation Observed in Early COVID-19 Patients

Liraglutide, a Glucagon-Like-Peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, was linked to improvements in weight, metabolic parameters, and quality of life in patients with 

, according to findings presented at the Endocrine Society’s Annual Meeting (ENDO 2021).

“In these patients, therapy-resistant obesity is often observed despite intensive lifestyle treatment,” the investigators noted. “Moreover, it is still unclear whether bariatric surgery is less successful in genetic obesity.”

Led by Mila Sofie Welling, MD, Erasmus University Medical Center, the investigative team evaluated the safety and efficacy of the GLP-1 analogue plus lifestyle treatment in 4 patients who were either obese or overweight due to a genetic cause.

As such, 2 patients had a heterozygous pathogenic melanocortin 4 recepter variant and 2 had 16p11.2 deletion syndrome. Ages ranged from 21-32 years of age, with BMI ranging from 28.1 kg/m

All patients were treated daily with 3.0 mg of liraglutide.

“At end of follow-up, ranging between 33 weeks and 12 years, a mean change in BMI and waist circumference was observed of -5.7 ± 3.8 kg/m

 and -15.2 ± 21.1 cm, respectively,” the investigators reported.

They also reported better quality of life and metabolic parameters in all patients as well as improved satiety in 3 patients. However, there was no observed effect of liraglutide on resting energy expenditure.

Furthermore, mild but brief side effects—such as such as nausea and stomach pain—occurred in 2 patients.

“Our findings suggest that GLP-1 analogue treatment might be an effective treatment option, in addition to a healthy lifestyle, for patients with genetic obesity,” Welling and Colleagues wrote.

Pediatric Patients, Other Uses of Liraglutide

Liraglutide has had a relatively longer history for use in diabetes treatment. 

Previous research has shown liraglutide as add-on therapy to be efficacious in improving glycemic control in children and adolescents (in addition to adults) with type 2 diabetes.

 indicated that the GLP-1 receptor agonist plus metaformin was associated with greater decreases in HbA1c level—compared with mean increases in children who received metaformin plus placebo.

Further, 63.7% of patients receiving liraglutide achieved a glycated hemoglobin level of 7.0% by the end of the trial, versus only 36.5% in the placebo group. 

The effects of the drug on pediatric weight loss have yet to be ascertained.

Liralgutide, sold under brand name Victoza, is currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in both adults and 

 it for risk reduction of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death, in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Effects of Glucagon-Like-Peptide-1 Analogue Treatment in Genetic Obesity

Many patients with genetic obesity disorder experience resistance to treatment, including intensive lifestyle therapy. 

Liraglutide Shows Promise for Genetic Obesity

 who have a tendency to stay awake later than average face a significantly greater risk of pregnancy-related events, according to a new study.

 from a research team in Brazil, pregnant women with gestational diabetes who preferring evening and late-night activity reported a three-fold greater likelihood of preeclampsia, and a four-fold greater likelihood of receiving neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) treatment.

The research, led by Cristina F. Sampaio Facanha, MD, highlights the possible role of sleep health and quality in expecting mothers already managing gestational diabetes.

Facanha and colleagues noted that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has become a greater complication in pregnancy over years, with its prevalence associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcome risks.

“Pregnancy is deeply influenced by the circadian rhythm and the misalignment of the maternal rhythm can lead to disturbances in the temporal organization of physiological and metabolic functions,” they explained.

The previously understood link between circadian rhythm disorders and diabetes has been well-defined, and now the investigators sough the influence of chronotype on maternal and fetal complication development during GDM pregnancy.

Their prospective cohort assessment included clinical data and behavior questionnaires collected via interview. Patients were gauged on relevant questionnaires regarding chronotype, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, depressive symptoms, and insomnia characteristics, including:

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS)

Facanha and colleagues additionally obtained patient sleep diaries and actigraphic records.

Their final assessment included 305 GMD patients in their second or third trimester at the time of assessment. Another 89 patients completed the sleep diary, and 53 performed an actigraphic record.

Per MEQ, 49.5% of GDM patients identified as morning chronotypes; 43.6% as intermediate types; and 6.9% as evening type preference.

On average, evening preference patients were younger (

 <.005), experienced worse sleep quality (

= .01), and had greater prevalence of insomnia (

 = .004) before and during their pregnancy.

Investigators observed an association between evening type preference among GDM patients and pre-eclampsia (

In a statement accompanying the team’s findings, Facanha explained the value of the sleep-wake cycle, particularly among the observed population.

“Hormones, blood pressure and glucose, or blood sugar, metabolism follow circadian rhythms that synchronize with a master clock in the brain,” Facanha said. “When the circadian rhythm for the sleep-wake cycle is thrown off, it not only can create sleep problems but also can interfere with glucose metabolism, affecting pregnancy health.”

In closing, Facanha expressed hope that GDM patients with preference for evening activity are able to reduce their proclivities for the sake of their health.

“A change in habits and increased exposure to morning natural light, exercise and a reduction in blue screen light is an accessible form of treatment that can potentially improve health measures in pregnancy,” she said.

The study, “Maternal Chronotype and Pregnancy Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes,” was presented at ENDO 2021.

Evening and late-night preferences of women with GDM is linked to a significantly greater risk of preeclampsia and NICU treatment.

Worse Gestational Diabetes Birth Outcomes Associated with Late Nights

A post-hoc analysis of the AWARD-11 trial showed that higher doses of dulaglutide were highly efficacious and safe in reducing A1C levels in patients with 

The study was led by Juan Pablo Frias, MD, National Research Institute, CA, and presented at the Endocrine Society’s Annual Meeting (ENDO 2021).

“This exploratory post hoc analysis of AWARD-11 assessed the effect of dulaglutide on A1C reduction by clinically-relevant baseline A1C subgroups (<8%; 8%-<9%; 9%-<10%; ≥10%) and the proportion of patients achieving A1C <7% in these subgroups through 36 and 52 weeks,” the investigators wrote.

Patients (n = 1842) were randomized 1:1:1 to 1.5 mg of dulaglutide, 3 mg. or 4.5 mg— all of which were administered once weekly. However, all patients were administered duraglutide 0.75 mg in their first 4 weeks of treatment before stepwise administration to their assigned dose.

Frias and colleagues used a mixed effects model for repeated measures within the A1C subgroups in order to assess the change in A1C from baseline to 36 and 52 weeks.

The team also used a longitudinal logistic regression model within subgroups to analyze those patients who achieved A1C <7% at weeks 36 and 52.

As such, the team reported that duraglutide 1.5 mg reduced A1C levels across all baseline categories at week 36 (range, -1.0% to -2.2%). This effect was maintained through week 52 (range, -1.0% to -2.1%).

However, greater A1C reductions were noted among patients in each baseline category randomized to 3 mg or 4.5 mg. Reductions were more significant for those with higher baseline A1C.

“More patients randomized to 3 mg or 4.5 mg achieved A1C <7% versus those on 1.5 mg at 36 weeks regardless of baseline A1C, but the difference across dose groups was greater at higher baseline A1Cs,” the investigators emphasized.

Specifically, they noted that more than half of the patients in each A1C category who were randomized to dulaglutide 4.5 achieved levels <7% (A1C < 8%, 83%; 8-<9%, 73%; 9-<10%,  64%;  ≥10, 55%; 

These dose-related effects and proportions were notably consistent through week 52, the team indicated.

In terms of safety profile, gastrointestinal adverse events were similar across A1C categories.

“Glycemic control as measured by A1C and proportion of patients achieving A1C <7% was improved with duraglutide dose escalation from 1.5 mg to 3 mg or 4.5 mg across a spectrum of clinically relevant baseline A1C categories without increasing incidence of GI adverse events,” the team noted.

Those with baseline A1C levels of 9-<10% and ≥10% achieved greater dose-related improvements in glycemic controls—as compared with lower baselines.

A majority of those randomized to the highest duraglutide dose (4.5 mg)—regardless of baseline category—reached their glycemic target.

Efficacy of Dulaglutide Expanded Doses by Baseline A1C Categories: Post Hoc Analysis of AWARD-11

A post-hoc analysis of the AWARD-11 trial indicates that 4.5 mg of dulaglutide was effective in lowering and maintaining A1C levels <7% regardless of baseline levels. 

Higher Doses of Dulaglutide Safe, Efficacious in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

, new data from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) 2021 Virtual Sessions showed sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in toddler-aged children with peanut allergy resulted in significant desensitization to the allergen and sustained unresponsiveness to allergen exposure months after ending once-daily SLIT.

The research, presented by Edwin Kim, MD, MS, of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, evidences that even younger patients benefit more greatly and for longer.

Kim discussed the next steps of food allergy immunotherapy research and application.

Something that is highlighted in AAAAI discussion annually now is cross-allergic and cross-inflammatory disease risks. As you said, patients could be suffering from multiple allergies. They could also be suffering from asthma, allergies, atopic dermatitis and more. 

We talk a lot about effectively treating something like asthma and what benefit that has for other conditions. But if we were to say that we're able to better treat a food allergy at this early an age, how would that influence those other frequent comorbid conditions that children face?

 I mean, that's a fantastic question. And unfortunately, I don't know that we have any clue at all. I will say that for pollen allergies, your regular environmental allergies, there is a thought that starting to focus on allergy shots younger for that can prevent the onset of asthma. I don't know that we have any sense when it comes to food allergy, whether we would have that same sort of preventive effect on other diseases. We hope so. I just have not personally seen data to support that at this point.

You mentioned Stanford's peanut allergy research that comes up pretty frequently. Is there anything else that you're looking forward to, in terms of developments in the field of food allergy care?

 First, with our sublingual research: PALFORZIA getting approved is humongous, right? I see this as validating food allergy as a real problem, something that requires treatment. And it also, to me, validates the concept of immunotherapy as something that does actually work and can provide protection.

At the same time, I think COVID-19 has made it clear that oral immunotherapy is hard to do. And it's not going to be for everybody. I do think that not only researching the application of these treatments to other foods and making them longer-lasting is important, but so is finding ways to make it more practical. So, I'm looking out for that. I would love to see queries around, 'Do we have to do this every day? Is this something that can be a once a week kind of treatment? Once a month?'

You know, just thinking from the patient's point of view: how do we really make this accessible to patients? We know it works now, and it's out there. But we're looking to have oral, hopefully sublingual, and epicutaneous. Is there a path forward for that? Because that would represent a simple version of immunotherapy that might be a good option for some patients.

So, I'm really looking in the future for not only improvements on the science, but also options for patients, because at this point, none of these look like they're going to be a cure. With that in mind, every administration of care that can match up to patient goals, I think will be really essential if we're going to make a real difference in food allergy.

This essentially sounds like the next steps of any novel therapy: what is its optimization? What assures patient benefit and adherence?

 Absolutely. I think this is a huge time in our field right now. And I think the next couple years really are going to stand about, because I think the doors are now wide open for new treatments.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Consideration of how immunotherapy may influence other allergic diseases, patient adherence options, and advancing assessment of peanut allergy options.

Edwin Kim, MD, MS: Progressing Food Allergy Research

A new survey from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences investigators cast light on recurring 

 symptoms being experienced by hospital-discharged patients 6 months after their infection.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) 2021 Virtual Sessions

 by study author Ben Rossavik, DO, showed significant prevalence of fatigue (52.4%), changes in daily activities due to breathing (52.4%), shortness of breath (47.6%), change in taste and smell (42.9%) and increased much production (38.1%).

In the matter of how such research contributes to the discussion of “long haul” COVID-19, Rossavik spoke with 

on how frequently surveyed patients reported shortcomings in post-discharge physical therapy and rehabilitation.

“And insurance pays for these,” Rossavik said. “But in a lot of ways our model is run, people go there for a period of time, they’re done, they go home, and they’re still complaining about this altered ability to walk around their house.”

Rossavik also spoke on matters of improved resourcing and funding under the new presidential administration to assure health systems and afflicted patients are not supported only for oftentimes successful acute care—but for bolstering the struggling rehabilitation system at a time when long-haul COVID-19 cases may be steadily increasing.

“We could definitely have more help for people for the long term,” Rossavik said . ”Because we’ve never had a situation like this—we’ve had so many people who needed long-term rehabilitation therapies.”

Videos

Surveyed patients discharged from the hospital are reporting respiratory burdens beyond 6 months. Are outpatient facilities equipped to manage COVID-19 long haulers?

Long-term COVID-19 Rehabilitation May Need Improved Systems

A collection of articles published at the 

 this week would indicate that patients with 

 may not actually faced heightened risk of COVID-19 severity, hospitalization, or even death.

In fact, the broad interpretation of asthma as a chronic respiratory disease may not be suitable in interpreting an individual’s risk with COVID-19 infection.

, Lakiea Wright, MD, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Thermo Fisher Scientific, discussed key findings from a trio of AAAAI 2021 studies on the matter of asthma-associated COVID-19 risk.

Wright also shared her takeaways from each of the trials, and what encompassing outcomes can be construed from the collection of data—more specifically, on matters of what asthma subtypes and treatment may actually be linked to COVID-19 severity.

Associations of Asthma, COPD and Medication History with the Risk of Severe COVID-19

Patients with both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were observed in a retrospective cohort from March – August 2020 to have a significantly greater risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. Additionally, such patients recently requiring medical treatment were more likely to develop severe illness than those with well-controlled disease.

 “It was really non-allergic asthma in this cohort that was associated with hospitalization for COVID…and in these patients, they were using bronchodilators and corticosteroids in the past 6 months. In this cohort, asthma and COPD were risk factors for severe COVID, but it was really about the disease severity of the asthma and COPD that correlated, rather than corticosteroid use.”

COVID-19 severity in asthma patients: A multi-center matched cohort study

 The cohort assessment from the Massachusetts General Brigham Health Care System showed a comparable risk between asthma and COVID-19 hospitalization and mechanical ventilation in patients—as well as a lower risk of mortality.

 “For each asthma (COVID-19) patient, they had up to 5 non-asthma comparators, who were matched based on age, sex, and the date of their COVID-19 test.”

Outcomes among Patients with COVID-19 and Asthma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

 The review and analysis including data from 16 relevant trials showed the presence of asthma in COVID-19 patients was not linked to significantly greater hospitalization risk, length of hospital stay, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), nor risk of death.

 “A really rigorous review…The authors suggested we need to further investigate the role of type 2 inflammation and the role inhaled corticosteroid use, and the reason that’s so important is because there was one paper published (in April 2020) that suggested that perhaps allergic asthma with type 2 inflammation, since it’s associated with lower ACE2 gene expression, it may have sort of a protective role.”

A review of 3 new studies, which indicate the association between severe COVID-19 and the chronic disease is more intricate than previously thought.

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