Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with asthma: a co-produced mixed-methods study

Abstract

Objective: When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic there was concern that people living with asthma were at high-risk of poor outcomes. We aimed to explore the psychological impact of living with asthma in the United Kingdom during the pandemic. Methods and measures: Our mixed methods study, co-designed with patient and public involvement colleagues, included an online survey to detect anxiety/depression/post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and health beliefs; and qualitative interviews. We recruited 849 participants for the survey and interviewed 26 between May and June 2020. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically. Results: The survey identified that 77% of respondents were experiencing symptoms of anxiety, 77% were experiencing symptoms of depression, and PTSD was of concern for 61%. Two-thirds of respondents felt the pandemic had changed how they managed their asthma (n = 568, 66.9%), and over half felt that they had not been given adequate health information about COVID-19 (n = 495, 58.3%). Qualitative interviews identified five themes (1) health communication, (2) interaction with healthcare, (3) COVID-19-related concerns, (4) impact on mental health, and (5) behaviour change. Conclusion: Psychological distress was prevalent in people with asthma during the early stage of the pandemic. Understanding this may be useful to inform future healthcare/policy planning.