Abstract

Reduction in severe exacerbations and tapering of oral corticosteroids (OCS) are key goals of biologic treatment in patients with severe asthma(SA).

Aims and objectives

To describe baseline (12 months prior to benralizumab treatment initiation) and follow-up data on severe exacerbations, OCS use and lung function in ORBE II.

Methods

ORBE II is a retrospective multicenter study conducted in SA patients treated with benralizumab in clinical practice in Spain.

Results

From the 204 evaluable patients (overall population, OP), 75(36,8%) had also chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Patients were followed up for a mean (range) of 18.7(3.7-29.9) months. In patients with a history of severe exacerbations (around 85%), the mean annual rate (SD) decreased from 3(2.2) to 0.4(1.0) in the OP and from 2.7(1.5) to 0.4(0.7) in the CRSwNP subgroup.

Percentage of exacerbation-free patients:

From OP and CRSwNP patients on chronic OCS (=3 months), 27/53(50.4%) and 12/17(70,6%) had a 100% dose reduction respectively. An increase on FEV1 pre-BD =200 ml was observed in 76/126 (60,3%) OP patients and 32/45(71,1%) with CRSwNP.

Conclusions

The majority of patients achieved severe exacerbations reduction, tapering of OCS and clinically meaningful improvements in lung function. These were achieved in greater proportions in the patients with CRSwNP.