In Spain, 2% of public health expenditures are devoted to asthma-related care (4). It is 110 estimated that the global economic burden of asthma is between 1.5 and 3 billion euros 111 annually, and higher costs are associated with greater disease severity (5).
Severe asthma affects 3.9% of asthmatic patients (5). It is defined as an inflammatory 113 chronic respiratory disease that remains uncontrolled despite optimal therapy and 114 treatment of contributing factors, or which worsens when high-dose treatment is 115 decreased (6). Around 50% of patients with severe asthma experience uncontrolled or 116 partially controlled symptoms despite maximal treatment (5). These patients pose a 117 special challenge for care providers because of the extensive diagnostic testing and care 118 resources they require.
The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and characterization of COVID-19 120 infection among patients with severe asthma according to ERS/ATS criteria who 121 presented to our allergy department during the COVID-19 pandemic. 