INTRODUCTION

Clinical trials have shown oral corticosteroid (OCS) sparing effects of anti-IL5/anti-IL5-receptor treatments. The generalisability of these clinical trials may be limited, due to the rigid inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the short tapering duration. Real-world evidence is needed to bridge the gap between the clinical trials and the clinical practice. With this study we present real-life data on the OCS sparing effects of anti-IL5/anti-IL5-receptor treatments after 12 and 24 months of treatment.

METHODS

Severe, eosinophilic asthma patients treated with mepolizumab, reslizumab or benralizumab for 24 months were included in this observational study. Data on OCS-dose, FEV1, ACT/ACQ score and blood eosinophils were obtained from the patients records before anti-IL5/anti-IL5-receptor treatment, and after 12 and 24 months of treatment.

RESULTS

At baseline 75% of patients were on daily OCS. This number was reduced to 50% after one year of treatment, p < 0.001, and 28% after two years of treatment, p < 0.001. Within the group on daily OCS the median daily dose was reduced from 10 mg of Prednisolone at baseline (IQR 5-20) to 3.75 mg Prednisolone (IQR 0-10) after 12 months, and 0 mg Prednisolone (IQR 0-7.5) after 24 months, p < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings in this study add to the generalisability of the clinical studies, showing significant OCS sparing effects of anti-IL5/anti-IL5-receptor treatment in a real-life setting. Furthermore, these findings add to the understanding of the long-term effects of anti-IL5/anti-IL5-receptor treatment, showing an even further and persistent OCS reduction after two years of treatment.