Controversy and opposite conclusions are common in scientific research as some scientists target the promotion of disease prevention and increased screening and surveillance of the population to improve its well-being. The media article written by Lomte (2022) discusses the findings from the study on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections in asthmatics treated with biologics. The common cause of mortality cases in people severely affected by the coronavirus disease was associated with lung malfunction. Therefore, the initial study conducted by Papaioannou et al. (2022) attempted to define whether asthma as a respiratory disease can be perceived as a risk factor for developing severe illness from the COVID-19 virus. However, in the media article, the author determined that the initial study’s findings are contrary to the generally accepted opinion of the scientific community.
Part of the existing research suggests that asthma exacerbation can be triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Reparatory infections present a significant risk factor for asthma exacerbation, which manifests in the form of deterioration of existing asthmatic symptoms, such as “cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, or wheezing” (Lomte, 2022, para. 6). Thus, it was assumed that patients with severe asthma receiving biologic therapy are at higher risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, the study by Papaioannou et al. (2022) determined that biologic therapy does not cause a higher risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2. The authors analyzed data from 591 patients in 23 clinics: 37.1% were treated with omalizumab, 60.6% with mepolizumab, and 2.4% with benralizumab (Papaioannou et al., 2022). Only 26 patients (4.4%) were infected with SARS-CoV-2, and only 5 out of 26 experienced deterioration of asthma control (Papaioannou et al., 2022). Furthermore, among 591 patients, there was only one mortality case: a woman with severe obesity and cardiovascular comorbidities died from COVID-19 complications. Thus, while biologic therapy is not a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, the asthmatics receiving biologic therapy are at elevated risk of hospitalization.
Furthermore, after examining the validity of the findings and statistics featured in the study, one could suggest that the study provides a valuable insight into coronavirus infection, presenting a more significant threat for asthmatics. However, the coverage of the study in the media has both disadvantages and advantages for the population’s well-being. The first advantage is that the article addresses the myth that the use of biological therapy in patients with severe asthma during the pandemic is unsafe. Next, the article may change the minds of people who have not considered biological therapy because of the risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Biologic therapy is generally underutilized because patients perceive it as “invasive and limiting” (De Felice, 2019, p.2). Thus, additional assistance from the media in the popularization of biologic therapy can improve the situation.
On the contrary, the article can negatively influence the patients’ behavior by diminishing the risks. Patients with severe asthma should still maintain health protection measures to avoid being infected with COVID-19 because they are at risk of developing severe illness. Thus, the disadvantage of the controversy, in this case, is that it can negatively influence patients’ behavior. As an alternative, controversial findings can confuse the patient and reduce his level of trust in the healthcare system.
In conclusion, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) play a significant role in public health education. While APRNs have a wide range of responsibilities, they have a high level of medical knowledge and education and work directly with patients, which increases their opportunities to improve patients’ knowledge. Addressing the controversies in communication with the patient can provide a foundation for trustful relationships and improve patient cooperation. Thus, informing patients with severe asthma receiving biological therapy about the therapy’s safety can support public health education.
References
De Felice, K. M. (2019). Patients perception of risks and benefits of biologic therapy.Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 26(1), 147-149.
Lomte, T. S. (2022). The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity in a cohort of severe asthmatics treated with biologics. News Medical.
Papaioannou, A. I., Fouka, E., Tzanakis, N., Antoniou, K., Samitas, K., Zervas, E., Kostikas, K., Bartziokas, K., Porpodis, K., Papakosta, D., Tzouvelekis, A., Gerogianni, I., Kotsiou, O., Makris, M., Vittorakis, S., Katsoulis, K., Papanikolau, I., Afthinos, A., Katsaounou, P., … Loukides, S. (2022). SARS-Cov-2 infection in severe asthma patients treated with biologics.The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.