Asthma control in severe asthmatics under treatment with omalizumab: A cross-sectional observational study in Italy

Publication date: Available online 30 September 2014 Source:Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Author(s): Federica Novelli , Manuela Latorre , Letizia Vergura , Maria Filomena Caiaffa , Gianna Camiciottoli , Gabriella Guarnieri , Andrea Matucci , Luigi Macchia , Andrea Vianello , Alessandra Vultaggio , Alessandro Celi , Mario Cazzola , Pierluigi Paggiaro Few data are available on the proportion of asthmatics achieving a good asthma control (according GINA guidelines) and on the level of airway inflammation during omalizumab treatment. The aim of this cross-sectional national observational study was to assess the level of control (according to GINA guidelines) achieved in a group of asthmatics on omalizumab treatment, and to characterize the factors that influence the lack of control. We studied 306 asthmatics under omalizumab treatment for a median of 32 months (range 4–120). The level of control according to GINA was good in 25.2%, partial in 47.1% and poor in 24.5% of patients (data were missing for the remaining 3.2%). Comparison between poorly controlled and partially or well controlled asthmatics showed a statistically significant higher prevalence of some comorbidities in the first group, namely obesity, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), aspirin intolerance and mental disorders (all p < 0.001). Similarly, asthmatics with at least one exacerbation in the last year showed a significantly higher prevalence of obesity, chronic ...
Source: Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics - Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research