Respiratory Research | 2019
The effectiveness of Reslizumab in severe asthma treatment: a real-world experience
Abstract
BackgroundIncreased numbers of blood and sputum eosinophils are associated with higher exacerbation frequency and increased asthma severity. In clinical trials, targeting Interleukin-5 has been shown to be a useful therapeutic strategy for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma.MethodsTwenty-six patients have been commenced on Reslizumab in our institution since early 2017. Safety and clinical efficacy parameters were recorded at regular intervals.ResultsMean ACQ-6 score at the start of treatment was 3.5. The average number of exacerbations in the year preceding treatment was 8.3 per person. 30% of patients had been admitted to hospital at least once over the 12\u2009months preceding therapy. 54% of our patients were on long term oral steroid.Our data showed sustained improvement of Asthma control (Mean improvement in ACQ-6 was 1.7 at 1\u2009year, and 2.0 at 2\u2009years, P\u2009=\u20090.0001). Of the patients who were on long term systemic steroids, 35.7% discontinued steroids completely, with a mean reduction of prednisolone dose of 5.2\u2009mg at 1\u2009year. There was a 79% reduction in the annual exacerbation frequency at 1\u2009year, and 88% at 2\u2009years (P\u2009=\u2009<\u20090.0001). Modest, albeit statistically significant increases in creatine kinase which seemed to plateau by 1\u2009year were noted.ConclusionsOverall, Reslizumab was well tolerated with discontinuation of treatment due to side effects recorded in only one patient. Our data confirm the utility of anti-IL5 therapy in a carefully selected phenotype of severe asthma with evidence of eosinophilic airway inflammation.