Reduction in work and activity impairment within 6 months of benralizumab initiation in Canadians with severe eosinophilic asthma

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Nearly 8% of Canadian patients with asthma have severe disease, which is associated with significant impairment of work and daily activity. Benralizumab is an anti-IL-5Rα antibody for add-on maintenance therapy of severe eosinophilic asthma. <b>Objective:</b> To describe the change in work and activity impairment for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma within the first 6 months of benralizumab treatment. <b>Methods:</b> A prospective observational study (NCT03833141; POWER) was performed in 23 clinics across Canada from 2019 to current. Included patients had blood eosinophils ≥300c/µL, Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-6) score ≥1.5, and were benralizumab naïve. Work and activity impairment was measured with the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI), at baseline and 6 months. <b>Results:</b> Approximately 40% (n=56 of 102) and 35% (n=26 of 77) of patients reported employment at baseline and week 24, respectively. At baseline, impairment at work and daily activity ranged from 24% (absenteeism) to 65% (overall activities of daily life). Six months after treatment initiation, patient-reported impairment ranged from 2% (absenteeism) to 32% (overall activities); Figure 1. <b>Conclusion:</b> Throughout the first 6 months of treatment with benralizumab, patients reported a meaningful reduction of asthma-related impairment at work and during their activity of daily life.