EFFECTS OF ATOPIC DISEASE ON DISEASE SEVERITY IN COVID-19

Introduction: Data from the 2009 influenza pandemic suggested atopic disease may be protective from severe disease in hospitalized patients It is not known if similar evidence of protection is present with the current COVID-19 pandemic This study was undertaken to determine if those with atopy had less severe disease when hospitalized with COVID-19 Methods: Retrospective chart review of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC) and Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Charts were evaluated for any history of atopic disease Endpoints were: ICU admission (primary), length of stay, supplemental oxygen requirement, ICU length of stay, and intubation (secondary) Results: Over a 2-month period, 275 patients were identified No significant differences in outcomes for patients based on presence of atopic disease were noted: ICU admission, 43% versus 44 7% (with versus without atopic disease, respectively;p=- 84);supplemental oxygen use, 79 1% versus 73 6% (p=0 36);intubation rate, 35 8% versus 36 5% (p=0 92);mortality rate, 13 4% versus 20 7% (p=0 19) More patients with atopic disease had COPD (38 8% versus 17 3%, p0 2 for all endpoints) Conclusion: The frequency of severity markers in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 does not seem to differ based on atopic status After controlling for presence of COPD, however, a statistical trend suggests possible protection in those with pre-existing atopic disease, but not asthma