RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The impact of the addition of omalizumab on the utilization of healthcare resources by severe persistent asthma patients JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P4122 VO 42 IS Suppl 57 A1 Sarah Dyer A1 Stuart Packham A1 Sarah Davies YR 2013 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P4122.abstract AB Aim: To study the impact of the addition of Omalizumab to the treatment regime of patients with severe asthma, on their utilization of healthcare resources over a two year period.Method: All patients were started on Omalizumab for severe persistent asthma in accordance with licenced indications and dosed at 2 or 4 weekly intervals dependent on their weight and IgE levels. Data on all patients in our unit receiving Omalizumab were analysed comparing hospital admissions, bed days,and Emergency Department (A+E) attendances in the 2 years pre and post commencement of Omalizumab as well as Quality of life using the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionaire (AQLQ) and whether use of oral prednisolone was able to be reduced.Results: 11 patients (1 male) were studied with a mean age of 44 (SD 8.5). Number of admissions reduced from 38 in the two years prior to the commencement of Omalizumab to 9 in the two years afterwards, 205 bed-days pre to 31 post and 19 attendances at the Emergency Department (A+E) pre to 9 post. Three patients on maintenance steroids were able to stop steroids and mean daily steroid dosage of the cohort reduced from 9.8 mg/day to 4.7 mg/day. Quality of life improved significantly; ACT from 6.5 pre Omalizumab to 16.3 post and AQLQ from 2.4 to 4.8.Conclusion: The addition of Omalizumab to patients with severe persistent asthma on maximal therapy resulted in significant sustained reductions in healthcare utilization over a two year period and improvements in quality of life.