South Korean researchers have discovered a significant link between severe COVID-19 and an elevated risk of stroke in adults with asthma, raising concerns about long-term health outcomes for this vulnerable population. Their research, “Risk of Stroke in COVID-19 Survivors With Asthma: A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study,” was published in the Journal of Korean Medical Science.
The longitudinal retrospective study was part of a population-based cohort analysis that used claims data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service. It examined approximately 50 million individuals (~97% if the Korean population) and focused on two key concerns: whether COVID-19 increases stroke risk in asthma patients post-recovery, and how that risk compares to the general population.
The study analyzed data for a median of 76 days post-COVID-19 infection to highlight the lingering effects of the virus even after the acute phase.
Key findings from the study include:
- Asthma patients who experienced severe COVID-19 had nearly double the risk of stroke compared to those with asthma who did not contract the virus (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.88).
- When compared to the general population without asthma or COVID-19, asthma patients with severe COVID-19 had a more than threefold increased stroke risk (aHR 3.42).
Researchers attributed the increased stroke risk to a combination of chronic inflammation from asthma, systemic inflammatory responses triggered by COVID-19 and potential exacerbation of asthma symptoms due to viral infection. These factors may contribute to endothelial dysfunction, plaque instability and coagulopathy, conditions that heighten the likelihood of stroke.
According to researchers, their findings underscore the need for routine stroke risk assessments and preventive strategies for asthma patients recovering from severe COVID-19. They encouraged clinicians to monitor these individuals closely and consider incorporating long-term cardiovascular care into asthma management plans.
Researchers noted their findings are limited to the Korean population and may not generalize globally. Researchers also noted potential selection bias and the need for further investigation into variant-specific neurological outcomes, especially with the emergence of strains like Omicron.
The study’s authors said they will conduct future research to explore targeted interventions, such as anti-inflammatory therapies or anticoagulants to mitigate stroke risk in this high-risk group.
