Omalizumab in children with uncontrolled asthma: A real-life study carried out in Colombia

Abstract

Background: Omalizumab efficacy and safety in children older than 6 years has been clearly demonstrated in controlled clinical trials, but only in few real-life studies. Objective: To assess the response with omalizumab addition in children with moderate to severe persistent asthma in real-life conditions. Method: Observational study with a 12-month real-life follow-up in a group of 61 children older than 6 years who were assessed for asthma control before treatment was started and at 4 and 12 months. Results: After 12 months of treatment with omalizumab, there was symptom improvement both for those younger and older than 12 years (p = 0.001). There was a decrease in controller drug consumption in 73% of patients; in 61%, inhaled corticosteroid dose was reduced, and 8% discontinued its use. Inhaled corticosteroid average dose was decreased to 396 ± 298 μg, with this being statistically significant (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Omalizumab is an efficacious, safe and well-tolerated drug as add-on therapy for clinical control of moderate and severe allergic asthma that has not improved with standard therapies.