Background: Individuals with respiratory diseases were considered at increased risk for severe COVID-19 and were advised to self-isolate early in the pandemic. This study examined the impact of these measures on quality of life, psychological distress, and physical activity among Finnish individuals with asthma or obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Patients and methods: Data were drawn from the National FinHealth 2017 study and its 2020 follow-up. In addition to COVID-19-related questions, responses concerning quality of life, psychological well-being, and physical activity were analysed. The sample (N = 4814; 2674 females, 2140 males) was stratified by sex and age. Diagnostic information on asthma and OSA was obtained from national health registers.

Results: Pandemic-related concerns were common across all participants. Those with asthma or OSA reported significantly poorer quality of life (p < .001), greater psychological distress (p = .001 for asthma; p < .001 for OSA), and lower physical activity (p = .001 for asthma; p = .002 for OSA) compared to individuals without these conditions. These differences were evident prior to the pandemic. During follow-up, psychological distress increased (p = .001 for asthma; p < .001 for OSA) and physical activity declined further (p < .001 for both).

Conclusions: Individuals with asthma or OSA had poorer quality of life, greater psychological distress, and lower physical activity than those without these conditions—even before the pandemic. While psychological distress and physical activity worsened during the pandemic, changes in quality of life were not significantly different compared to the general population. These findings highlight the need for targeted, multidisciplinary support, especially for younger individuals and women.