AUTHOR=Bonato Matteo , Semenzato Umberto , Tinè Mariaenrica , Bazzan Erica , Damin Marco , Biondini Davide , Casara Alvise , Romagnoli Micaela , Turato Graziella , Cosio Manuel G. , Saetta Marina , Baraldo Simonetta 

TITLE=Risk Factors for Development and Severity of COVID-19 in COPD Patients

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.714570

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2021.714570

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=<p>The impact that COVID-19 could have on patients with COPD is a real concern. In this study we evaluated, in a cohort of longitudinally followed COPD subjects, the incidence of COVID-19, seeking for possible risk factors and prognostic factors predicting the clinical outcome. In our cohort of 370 patients (followed for 5.3 ± 2.7 years), 22 developed COVID-19 (COPD/COVID-19+) between February/November 2020 (5.9%). Cardio-metabolic conditions (hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes) but not respiratory abnormalities (FEV<sub>1</sub>, DLCO, emphysema and exacerbation history), were risk factors for development of COVID-19 in COPD patients. Out of the 22 COPD/COVID-19+ patients, 10 needed intensive care. Low DLCO and emphysema, but also metabolic comorbidities, were related to the need for intensive care.</p>