Characteristics of Older Individuals with Asthma Being Treated with Biologics.

PURPOSE

Biologic (antibody) therapy is a safe, effective, and guideline-recommended treatment for patients with severe and otherwise uncontrolled asthma. The number of older individuals with asthma is increasing but there is a lack of data on the use of biologics in this cohort. Therefore, this study reports the characteristics of older individuals receiving biologic therapy for severe asthma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study was a retrospective data analysis conducted at two centers in Germany.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients were included (52 aged 50-59 years and 36 aged ≥60 years). There was a high rate of comorbidities and associated pharmacological therapy use. Nearly half (49%) of participants were current or ex-smokers and 29% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The older age group (≥ 60 years) had significantly more cardiovascular comorbidities, more comorbidities overall, and a worse diffusion capacity compared with the group aged 50-59 years. Baseline lung function parameters, and the change in lung function after 6 months of biologic therapy, did not differ significantly between the two age groups. Participants aged ≥60 years used self-injection less than those aged 50-59 years.

CONCLUSION

These data help to characterize the specific population of older people receiving biologic therapy for severe asthma, and showed a high rate of comorbidities, polypharmacy, and poor diffusion capacity in this group.