Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 morbidity and mortality?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem difficult to treat due to underlying neutrophilic inflammation resistant to inhaled corticosteroids in most patients. Increased blood and sputum eosinophils are associated with more frequent exacerbation. Novel coronavirus SRAS-CoV-2 has infected humans in all age groups of all ethnicities. COVID-19-patients with comorbidities are more likely to develop a more severe course and progression of the disease. As an inflammatory disease of the lung, COPD was expected to be frequent comorbidity of COVID-19. Analysis of available data revealed a low prevalence of chronic pulmonary diseases in patients with COVID-19. However, the presence of preexisting COPD is associated with a nearly fourfold higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. The demographic characteristic of the population has a great impact on case-fatality reporting. Clear definition of COVID-19 related deaths and transparency in testing policies are essential for reporting comparable case-fatality rates among countries.