Quality of life in patients with allergic asthma on treatment with omalizumab

Abstract

Background: Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that controls severe allergic asthma symptoms and reduces exacerbations. Objective: To analyze quality of life and respiratory function improvement using the mini-AQLQ questionnaire and spirometry, with the use omalizumab as complementary therapy to a treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta 2 agonists. Methods: Of 30 patients with severe asthma (90 % of females, mean age, 49.1 years) the evolution of severe asthma diagnosis ranged from 1 to 24 years (average 8.3 years). All of them had at least one cutaneous or IgE-specific test that was positive to a usual aeroallergen, had total IgE determined and underwent spirometry. The mini-AQLQ questionnaire was applied and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was determined at baseline and at 52 weeks of omalizumab administration, the average dose of which was 550 mg, with biweekly or monthly administration. Results: There was statistically significant improvement (p = 0.013) in the mini-AQLQ after 52 weeks, with an overall score of 4.5, mainly in the emotional (p = 0.0073) and environmental dimensions (p = 0.00014). There were no significant changes in FEV1. Obesity was observed in 63 % of patients, and overweight in 26 %. Conclusions: Omalizumab improved patient quality of life, with no significant changes in FEV1, probably due to obesity.