Abstract
Severe asthma, characterized by airway inflammation and debilitating symptoms, poses a significant challenge to millions of people worldwide. Traditional treatments for treating severe cases are limited, leading to the emergence of biologic therapies as promising alternatives. This retrospective cohort study from a tertiary hospital in Dubai aimed to explore the differential response to biologics in severe asthma patients and identify predictors of treatment outcomes.
The baseline characteristics of 129 severe asthma patients receiving biologic therapy were analyzed, revealing a greater incidence of allergic diseases among responders. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that early-onset asthma, urticaria, and rhinosinusitis (p =0.027, 0.037, and <0.001, respectively) were predictors of a positive treatment response. Compared with non-responders, responders demonstrated improved asthma control, reduced exacerbations, and decreased oral corticosteroid usage.
Despite the limitations inherent in retrospective studies, our findings underscore the significant clinical benefits of biologic therapy in severe asthma patients. Tailored treatment strategies based on patient characteristics and biologic class could optimize outcomes in this population, emphasizing the importance of personalized medicine in managing severe asthma. Further research into predictive biomarkers and larger cohort studies are warranted to validate these findings and enhance treatment efficacy in severe asthma management.