Baseline characteristics of patients from the Brazilian Severe Asthma Registry: the REBRAG study.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the impact of severe asthma in a real-life cohort in Brazil, reporting on baseline clinical characteristics, access to treatment, and clinical remission under treatment with biologics.

METHODS

Severe asthma patients > 6 years of age were recruited from 23 centers in Brazil. Data on clinical characteristics, lung function, biomarkers, prescribed therapies, and clinical remission under treatment were collected at the baseline visit.

RESULTS

A total of 417 patients were recruited. Of the 162 adult patients, 71% had a history of hospitalization, with 31% having experienced more than two severe exacerbations in the last 12 months and 6% having experienced cardiopulmonary arrest. Allergic and eosinophilic phenotypes were the most common phenotypes in all age groups, with the T2-low phenotype being observed in 10% of the pediatric patients and in 20% of the adult patients. Only 10% of the adult patients and 1% of the pediatric patients were receiving maintenance oral corticosteroids, whereas 41% of the adult patients were under treatment with biologics, with clinical remission being achieved in 20%.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe asthma in Brazil still results in a high disease burden, with less than half of the patients receiving treatment with biologics and clinical remission being achieved in a subgroup of patients treated with biologics for more than 12 months. Achieving disease control remains a major clinical and health care challenge, requiring further actions from specialists and health care providers, as well as additional studies.