Adults With Asthma Compliant With COVID-19 Mask Wearing

THURSDAY, Feb. 3, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Adults with asthma report being compliant with COVID-19-related masking, despite some problematic effects, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.

Barbara J. Polivka, Ph.D., from University of Kansas in Kansas City, and colleagues conducted an online survey of 501 adults with asthma to understand the extent masks are worn, attitudes and beliefs about wearing masks, and patient experiences while wearing a mask.

The researchers found that almost all participants (98.4 percent) indicated wearing a mask in public, and two-thirds (67.4 percent) reported wearing a mask for three or fewer hours per day. There was a significant association seen between poorer asthma control and wearing a mask longer with higher Mask Effects Scale scores. Almost half (45.8 percent) indicated they had problems breathing and increased coughing when wearing a mask, while 39 percent reported no change in asthma when wearing a mask. Participant-reported recommendations included "just wear it;" use a comfortable, well-fitting mask; take mask breaks; and carry an inhaler.

"Implementing recommendations, such as planned mask breaks, can support and enhance the experience of wearing a mask for adults with asthma," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text