Investigating Asthma After Coccidioidomycosis Among Patients With Commercial Health Insurance, United States, 2017-2022.

BACKGROUND

The relationship between asthma and coccidioidomycosis has not been fully described. We have hypothesised that Coccidioides could trigger inflammatory airway responses, similar to other fungi.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the frequency of new-onset asthma-related symptoms after coccidioidomycosis and identify potentially associated factors.

PATIENTS/

METHODS

We used a large health insurance claims database to identify patients with coccidiomycosis with and without an asthma diagnosis code or a short-acting β2 agonist prescription in the year after diagnosis.

RESULTS

Thirteen per cent of 1657 patients with an asthma diagnosis code or a short-acting β2 agonist prescription (median 2.5 months later).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased healthcare provider awareness of asthma as a potential coccidioidomycosis complication could benefit patients, especially female patients and patients with severe pulmonary infection.