Abstract
Introduction: Mepolizumab is a novel treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma. The effects of mepolizumab have been examined in tightly controlled studies with rigid inclusion and exclusion criteria resulting in homogenous baseline characteristics. However, baseline characteristics of the eosinophilic asthma patients, and thus the effects of mepolizumab, may differ in real-world clinical practice.
Methods: Baseline characteristics of patients treated with mepolizumab (at a dose of 100 mg administered subcutaneously every 4th week) were drawn from a prospective database and from patient records.
Results: From June 2016 to January 2017 36 patients initiated mepolizumab treatment. All patients were treated with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and a second controller. 50% of patients were female sex. Mean age at baseline was 54 years CI (50-57). Baseline mean FEV1 of expected was 65% CI(58-72) and baseline mean blood eosinophilic count was 514 /µl CI(385- 643). 89% of patients were treated with maintenance oral corticosteroids (OCS). A mean daily OCS dose was 13 mg Prednisolone CI(11-15). 25% of patients were additionally treated with immunosuppressive agents.
Conclusion: Compared with studies like MENSA, DREAM and SIRIUS, patients in our cohort have higher blood eosinophilic counts and they are more heavily treated with immunosuppressive agents. Thereto, compared with DREAM and MENSA the percent of patients taking OCS is higher. The age and the mean FEV1 of expected, however, is comparable. Significant baseline characteristics in this real-world database differed from previous clinical trials. We need further studies to evaluate the effects of mepolizumab in real-world clinical settings.
- Copyright ©the authors 2017