People with asthma were found to have a 3.5-fold increased risk of developing whooping cough

The incidence of pertussis increased significantly in the United States from 2007 to 2012, with the highest increase found among adolescents 10 to 17 years of age. The risk of developing pertussis, as well as severe disease with complications, was highest among patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The likelihood of pertussis increased among U.S. adolescents, with the greatest increase found in patients with asthma and COPD. The results of the study are published in the journal CHEST.

In the general population, the incidence of pertussis was 5.33 cases per 100,000 person-years in 2007, and in 2012, the rate rose to 13.04 cases per 100,000 person-years. The highest rates in all years of observation were found among adolescents aged 10 to 17 years.

The risk of pertussis was highest among people with asthma (risk ratio (RR) was 3.57) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (RR=1.83) compared to the general population. In addition, patients with asthma had a 4.12-fold higher risk of severe pertussis with complications, and people with COPD had a 2.82-fold higher risk. Asthma and COPD exacerbations were more likely to occur 30 days before and 30 days after pertussis was identified. The risk of complications remained elevated for 180 days after pertussis was identified.

Researchers analyzed data on the overall incidence of pertussis in the population of 50 U.S. states from 2007 to 2019. In addition, the authors estimated the prevalence of pertussis among 960,000 patients with asthma and 830,000 people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The control group included 7.1 million people from the general population. The influence of comorbidities on the risk of pertussis development, as well as its severe course with complications, was assessed.