Asthma highlights from ACAAI 2021 range from efficacy of biologic therapies to the late effects of COVID-19 in asthma patients, as reported by Dr Sandhya Khurana from the University of Rochester, in Rochester, New York.
Dr Khurana opens by discussing a study that examined real-world data to assess the effect of COVID-19 infection in asthma patients. The study found that when adjusting for age, sex, BMI, use of inhaled corticosteroids, and atopy, Latino patients, when compared with non-Latino White and Black patients, were more susceptible to prolonged respiratory inflammation after COVID-19 infection.
She then reports on a study that examined potential long-term morbidities associated with systemic corticosteroid (SCS) therapy. The study, which drew from a large administrative claims database, found that high-risk SCS exposure was associated with lifelong adverse chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, and depression. Children ages 4-11 are particularly at risk.
Next, Dr Khurana highlights studies evaluating the efficacy of dupilumab and tezepelumab, two novel biologics, in asthma patients who also have allergies. Both studies demonstrated a potential benefit for a broad population of patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma.
Finally, Dr Khurana comments on ZEPHYR 2, a retrospective cohort study that looked to quantify the real-world impact of switching between biologics.
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Sandhya Khurana, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester; Director, Mary Parkes Center for Asthma, Allergy & Pulmonary Care, Rochester, New York
Sandhya Khurana, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Received research grant from: GlaxoSmithKline