Burden Of Severe Asthma Research Articles

The burden of severe asthma in sub-Saharan Africa: Findings from the African Severe Asthma Project

Severe asthma is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and health care utilization, but its burden in Africa is unknown. We sought to determine the burden (prevalence, mortality, and activity and work impairment) of severe asthma in 3 countries in East Africa: Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Using the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society case definition of severe asthma, we analyzed for the prevalence of severe asthma (requiring Global Initiative for Asthma [GINA] steps 4-5 asthma medications for the previous year to achieve control) and severe refractory asthma (remains uncontrolled despite treatment with GINA steps 4-5 asthma medications) in a cohort of 1086 asthma patients who had been in care for 12 months and had received all GINA-recommended medications. Asthma control was assessed by the asthma control questionnaire (ACQ). Overall, the prevalence of severe asthma and severe refractory asthma was 25.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.1-28.3) and 4.6% (95% CI, 3.5-6.0), respectively. Patients with severe asthma were (nonsevere vs severe vs severe refractory) older (39, 42, 45 years, P= .011), had high skin prick test reactivity (67.1%, 76.0%, 76.0%, P= .004), had lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage (81%, 61%, 55.5%, P< .001), had lower quality of life score (129, 127 vs 121, P< .001), and had higher activity impairment (10%, 30%, 50%, P< .001). Factors independently associated with severe asthma were hypertension comorbidity; adjusted odds ratio 2.21 (1.10-4.47), P = .027, high bronchial hyperresponsiveness questionnaire score; adjusted odds ratio 2.16 (1.01-4.61), P = .047 and higher ACQ score at baseline 2.80 (1.55-5.08), P = .001. The prevalence of severe asthma in Africa is highand is associated with high morbidity and poor quality of life.

A cross-country qualitative analysis of teachers’ perceptions of asthma care in sub-Saharan Africa

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease among school-going adolescents worldwide. However, the burden of severe asthma is highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to explore teachers’ perceptions of asthma care across six African countries. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. FGDs were conducted in Kumasi(Ghana), Blantyre (Malawi), Lagos (Nigeria), Durban (South Africa), Kampala (Uganda), and Harare (Zimbabwe) between 01 November 2020 and 30 June 2021. We identified two key themes related to asthma care; barriers to asthma care and suggestions to improve the care of adolescents with asthma. Barriers reported by teachers included a lack of knowledge and skills among themselves, adolescents, and caregivers. In addition, some traditional beliefs of teachers on asthma exacerbated challenges with asthma care in schools. Regarding suggestions, most teachers identified a need for all-inclusive asthma training programmes for teachers, adolescents and caregivers, focusing on acute episodes and mitigating triggers. Utilising teachers with personal experiences with asthma to advocate and support these initiatives was suggested. Further suggestions included the need for annual screening to enable early identification of adolescents with asthma and clarify restrictions on teachers administering asthma medications. Teachers across African schools identify multiple barriers to asthma care. Structured school education programs and annual asthma screening are key to addressing some barriers to care.

Influence of dupilumab on the economic burden of severe asthma and atopic dermatitis

The prevalence of comorbidity — asthma and atopic dermatitis — is not understood well yet. More severe processes decreasing quality of life and increasing a social-economic burden of disease are occurred in such kind comorbidity.Aim: an evaluation of economic burden of non-control severe asthma in combination with severe atopic dermatitis in the local conditions.Materials and methods. Analysis has been performed for adult patients; the bottom-up approach of costs evaluation was used. Direct medical and non-medical as well as indirect costs were calculated for two models: Model 1 — current practice of the treatment, Model 2 — treatment with Dupilumab. Results. Model 1 — Weighted average expenditures for one patient were 3,1 mln RUR, indirect costs were dominated (76 % from the total), severe atopic dermatitis had 15 % of total. Model 2 (with Dupilumab) — Dupilumab has decreased the total weighted average cost on 903 905 RUR. The total economic burden of comorbidity was 17,6 bln RUR in the current treatment option, and 12,4 bln RUR in Dupilumab hand (different is 5,2 bln RUR, or burden decrease is expected on 29,2 %).Conclusion. The wider introduction of Dupilumab into clinical practice, which allows achieving control in the treatment of severe asthma and severe atopic dermatitis, should reduce treatment costs and reduce the socio-economic burden of these diseases as a result.

Burden of Asthma in Elderly Japanese Patients: Using Hospital-Based Administrative Claims Data.

IntroductionData are lacking on severe asthma burden in elderly people in Japan. We assessed the prevalence and clinical/economic burden of severe asthma and asthma-related hospitalizations in elderly and younger Japanese patients.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed outpatient claims data and inpatient hospital discharge records among patients aged ≥ 15 years with asthma (defined as ≥ 2 prescriptions of inhaled corticosteroids [ICS] or ICS/long-acting beta-agonists [LABA]) between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2017. We analyzed the outpatient visit assessment population with severe asthma (≥ 240-day prescription of high-dose ICS and ≥ 90-day prescription of ≥ 1 additional controllers) and the asthma-related hospitalization population (≥ 1 hospital admission[S] with a primary diagnosis of asthma/status asthmaticus and use of systemic corticosteroids) over a 1-year observation period before the date of each patient’s latest asthma prescription or asthma-related hospitalization within the study period. The primary outcome was the proportion of elderly (≥ 65 years) and younger (15–39 and 40–64 years) patients among the outpatient visit assessment population. Secondary outcomes included outpatient and inpatient characteristics, asthma-related healthcare resource utilization, and asthma-associated costs, by age group.ResultsOf the outpatient visit assessment population (n = 35,742), 4211 had severe asthma, with the prevalence of 8.2%, 12.8%, and 12.4% for the 15–39, 40–64, and ≥ 65 years age groups, respectively. Elderly versus younger outpatients with severe asthma had higher cumulative oral corticosteroid doses. Among both outpatient visit assessment population and hospitalization assessment population, elderly versus younger outpatients with severe asthma or asthma-related hospitalizations had more comorbidities, required more biological, hematological, immunological, and microbiological tests, and incurred higher asthma-associated costs.ConclusionsIn addition to reaffirming the higher prevalence of severe asthma in Japanese patients ≥ 40 years versus those < 40 years of age, our results demonstrated higher clinical and economic burden in elderly versus younger patients.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s41030-020-00121-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Burden of Severe Asthma in France: A Case-Control Study Using a Medical Claims Database

Severe asthma (SA) is defined by treatment intensity. The availability of national databases allows accurate estimation of the prevalence, long-term outcomes, and costs of SA. To provide accurate information on SA, focusing on comorbidities, mortality, health care resource consumption, and associated costs. A cohort of patients with SA identified in 2012 was extracted from a French representative claims database and followed for 3 years. Their characteristics, comorbidities, mortality, and direct costs were compared with a matched control group without asthma. A total of 690 patients with SA were matched to 2070 patients without asthma (mean age, 61 years; 65.7% women). The prevalence of SA was estimated to be 0.18% to 0.51% of the French adult population. Comorbidities were more frequent in patients with SA (73.9% suffered from cardiovascular disease vs 54.3% in controls; P < .001). A total of 58.7% of patients with SA used oral corticosteroids (OCS) in 2012 with a mean intake of 3.3 boxes/year/patient and 9% received ≥6 dispensings of OCS. A total of 6.7% were treated by omalizumab. Patients with SA were more frequently hospitalized (33.2% vs 19.7%; P < .001), more frequently consulted a general practitioner (97.8% vs 83.9%; P < .001) (9.8 ± 6.8 vs 6.2 ± 5.3 consultations/year; P < .001), and 31% have consulted a private respiratory physician. Compared with controls, 3-year cumulative mortality was higher in SA (7.1% vs 4.5%; P= .007). Direct medical cost was $9227 versus $3950 (P < .001) mostly driven by medication costs. The prevalence of SA in the French adult population is at least 18 of 10,000. Burden of disease is high with respect to comorbidities, mortality, and asthma-related health care resource use.

PRS10 - The Epidemiology and Disease Burden of Severe Asthma in Japan Utilizing Multiple Data Sources

The aim of this presentation is to draw a whole picture of the epidemiology and burden of severe asthma (SA) by using data from three studies with different data sources in Japan. Three data sources (all GSK sponsored studies) were: medical records/claim data of the Kyoto University Hospital (HOSPITAL; HO1515492), health insurance claim database (CLAIM, population based; HO1616484), and Diagnosis Procedure Combination database (HO1617890; DPC, hospital based)]. Asthma patients ≥ 15 years of age were identified by International Classification of Disease, 10th revision codes and prescription data of asthma management. We assessed proportion of SA among persistent asthma (CLAIM, DPC), distribution of blood eosinophil count among SA (HOSPITAL), risk factors for exacerbations (HOSPITAL, CLAIM), asthma-related direct cost (HOSPITAL, CLAIM, DPC). An increasing proportion of SA among asthma patients was observed with 0.6-3.6% (15 to 65 years of age, CLAIM) and 6.6-13.4% (15 to 90+ years of age, DPC), and 34% of SA had a blood eosinophil count ≥300 cells/µl (HOSPITAL). Exacerbation history (HOSPITAL, CLAIM) and asthma severity (CLAIM) were associated with subsequent exacerbations. Large economic burden was shown among SA (HOSPITAL, CLAIM, DPC). We showed a more complete picture of the epidemiology and burden of SA. Combining different pieces of information from multiple data sources can be useful to complement limitations of each database and answer complex research questions.

The epidemiology and burden of severe asthma

The epidemiology and burden of severe asthma

PRS68 - The Burden of Severe Asthma in France

PRS68 - The Burden of Severe Asthma in France

Temperature-controlled laminar airflow in severe asthma for exacerbation reduction (The LASER Trial): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundAsthma affects more than 5 million patients in the United Kingdom. Nearly 500,000 of these patients have severe asthma with severe symptoms and frequent exacerbations that are inadequately controlled with available treatments. The burden of severe asthma on the NHS is enormous, accounting for 80 % of the total asthma cost (£1 billion), with frequent exacerbations and expensive medications generating much of this cost.Of those patients with severe asthma, 70 % are sensitised to indoor aeroallergens, and the level of exposure to allergens determines the symptoms; patients exposed to high levels are therefore most at risk of exacerbations and hospital admissions.The LASER trial aims to assess whether a new treatment, temperature controlled laminar airflow (TLA) delivered by the Airsonett™ device, can reduce the frequency of exacerbations in patients with severe allergic asthma by reducing exposure to aeroallergens overnight.MethodsThis multicentre study is a placebo-controlled, blinded, randomised controlled, parallel group trial. A total of 222 patients with a new or current diagnosis of severe allergic asthma will be assigned with a random element in a 1:1 ratio to receive either an active device for one year or a placebo device. The primary outcome is the frequency of severe asthma exacerbations occurring over a 12-month period, defined in accordance with the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) guidelines. Secondary outcomes include changes in asthma control, lung function, asthma-specific and global quality of life for participants and their carers, adherence to intervention, healthcare resource use and costs, and cost-effectiveness. Qualitative interviews will be conducted to elicit participant’s and their partner’s perceptions of the treatment.DiscussionEffective measures of allergen avoidance have, to date, proved elusive. The LASER trial aims to address this. The study will ascertain whether home-based nocturnal TLA usage over a 12-month period can reduce the frequency of exacerbations and improve asthma control and quality of life as compared to placebo, whilst being cost-effective and acceptable to adults with poorly controlled, severe allergic asthma. The results of this study will be widely applicable to the many patients with allergic asthma both in the UK and internationally.Trial registrationCurrent controlled trials ISRCTN46346208 (Date assigned 22 January 2014).

The burden of severe asthma in childhood and adolescence: results from the paediatric U-BIOPRED cohorts.

U-BIOPRED aims to characterise paediatric and adult severe asthma using conventional and innovative systems biology approaches. A total of 99 school-age children with severe asthma and 81 preschoolers with severe wheeze were compared with 49 school-age children with mild/moderate asthma and 53 preschoolers with mild/moderate wheeze in a cross-sectional study. Despite high-dose treatment, the severe cohorts had more severe exacerbations compared with the mild/moderate ones (annual medians: school-aged 3.0 versus 1.1, preschool 3.9 versus 1.8; p<0.001). Exhaled tobacco exposure was common in the severe wheeze cohort. Almost all participants in each cohort were atopic and had a normal body mass index. Asthma-related quality of life, as assessed by the Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) and the Paediatric Asthma Caregiver's Quality of Life Questionnaire (PACQLQ), was worse in the severe cohorts (mean±se school-age PAQLQ: 4.77±0.15 versus 5.80±0.19; preschool PACQLQ: 4.27±0.18 versus 6.04±0.18; both p≤0.001); however, mild/moderate cohorts also had significant morbidity. Impaired quality of life was associated with poor control and airway obstruction. Otherwise, the severe and mild/moderate cohorts were clinically very similar. Children with severe preschool wheeze or severe asthma are usually atopic and have impaired quality of life that is associated with poor control and airflow limitation: a very different phenotype from adult severe asthma. In-depth phenotyping of these children, integrating clinical data with high-dimensional biomarkers, may help to improve and tailor their clinical management.

Definition of Severe Refractory Asthma

Severe refractory asthma is a group of asthmatic patients showing heterogeneous phenotypes with frequent exacerbations and progressive airway remodeling despite high levels of therapy. Studies of severe asthma is difficult not only because of diverse pathogenesis, difficulty in translating pre-clinical human and animal models to clinical trials, and absence of biomarkers that predict therapeutic efficacy but because of lack of consensus on precise definition and diagnostic criteria of severe asthma. Furthermore, the burden of severe asthma is considerably high, therefore, there has been an urgent need for researching strategies to overcome severe asthma. In conclusion, precise characterization, exact definition, and appropriate classification of severe asthma would be critical to improve management of this challenging disease and these efforts could help to develop novel therapeutic strategies. (Korean J Med 2012;83:417-423)