Minimal clinically important difference for asthma endpoints: an expert consensus report

Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) can be defined as the smallest change or difference in an outcome measure that is perceived as beneficial and would lead to a change in the patient's medical management.

The aim of the current expert consensus report is to provide a “state-of-the-art” review of the currently available literature evidence about MCID for end-points to monitor asthma control, in order to facilitate optimal disease management and identify unmet needs in the field to guide future research.

A series of MCID cut-offs are currently available in literature and validated among populations of asthmatic patients, with most of the evidence focusing on outcomes as patient reported outcomes, lung function and exercise tolerance. On the contrary, only scant and partial data are available for inflammatory biomarkers. These clearly represent the most interesting target for future development in diagnosis and clinical management of asthma, particularly in view of the several biologic drugs in the pipeline, for which regulatory agencies will soon require personalised proof of efficacy and treatment response predictors.

Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) cut-offs in asthma are validated for patient reported outcomes and lung function, but not for inflammatory biomarkers. MCID represents a key target for future development in asthma management. http://bit.ly/33hcWIe

Anxiety and depression in adolescents with asthma and in their parents. Is an increased basal cholinergic tone a possible further reason to explain the negative impact on asthma control?

To the Editor We read with interest the excellent article of Licari et al.  reporting that anxiety and depression are common in adolescents suffering from asthma as well as in their parents, mainly in mothers. The consequence of this relationship is that emotional disorders might negatively affect also the control of asthma.

The prevalence of sleep impairments and predictors of sleep quality among patients with asthma

BACKGROUND

Sleep is a significant dimension of daily life. However, only a few studies have examined the sleep quality of asthmatics in a real-world clinical settings.

OBJECTIVE

This study is aimed to estimate the prevalence of sleep impairments among asthmatic patients and examine the relationship between sleep quality, asthma control, rhinitis symptoms, and sociodemographic characteristics.

METHODS

The present study adopted the observational cross-sectional research design that has been designed by the Italian Respiratory Society and used valid assessments to measure the study variables.

RESULTS

Data from 1150 asthmatic patients (mean age 51.01 years ± 16.03) were subjected to analysis. 58.3% of the patients had impaired sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI] total scores > 5), and their mean PSQI score was 5.68 (SD = 3.4). A significant correlation emerged between sleep quality and asthma control (p = 0.0001) and a significant albeit weak correlation emerged between PSQI total scores and Total 5 Symptoms Score (r = 0.24, p = 0.0001). Sleep quality was significantly associated health-related quality of life [HRQoL]. (r = 0.50, p < 0.001). After exclusion of patients at risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) and Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), the most important determinants of PSQI score were HRQoL, In the entire sample asthma control is the strongest predictor of both sleep quality and HRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this real-world study highlight the prevalence, impact and predictors of sleep disturbances in asthmatic patients and suggest the need for physicians to detect poor sleep quality.

One year of mepolizumab. Efficacy and safety in real-life in Italy

BACKGROUND

Severe asthma is a disease with a heavy socio-economic burden and a relevant impact on the life of patients. Mepolizumab (MEP) was recently introduced in practice. The previous data were favourable as efficacy and safety are concerned. Nowadays, we can report the clinical data after more than one year of use of MEP in the real-life setting.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of MEP in a real life framework, mainly concerning asthma exacerbations, steroid dependence, effects on respiratory function and adverse events.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis was performed on 138 patients, treated with MEP for at least 12 months, and referred to eleven severe asthma clinics in Italy. All patients met the criteria for severe uncontrolled asthma according to ATS/ERS guidelines and prescribing MEP conditions according to the Italian Drug Agency (AIFA).

RESULTS

We could observe 138 patients (78 female, age 58 ± 10 years). The average age of onset of asthma was 34 ± 16 years. The blood eosinophil count decreased from 822 ± 491/μL at baseline to 117 ± 96/μL (p < .0001) after 12 months of therapy. Exacerbations decreased from 3.8/year to 0.7/year (-81%; p < .0001). Steroid-dependent patients before MEP (80%) with a daily dose of 10.1 ± 9.4 mg prednisone decrease at 28% after 12 months with a mean of 2.0 ± 4.2 mg/day (p < .0001). The occurrence of adverse events was overall low.

CONCLUSIONS & CLINICAL RELEVANCE

In this real-life setting, MEP confirmed its efficacy and safety profile, already shown in clinical trials. This was apparent concerning exacerbation rate, systemic steroids intake and safety.

Effects of a structured educational intervention in moderate-to-severe elderly asthmatic subjects

Background

Adherence to inhaled drugs is linked to patients’ satisfaction with their device, and an incorrect use can negatively affect the outcomes of asthma treatment. We speculated that this is particularly true in elderly asthmatic subjects.

Aim

We performed a national pre-post interventional multicentre study, enrolling moderate-to-severe asthmatic subjects aged ≥65 ​years treated with fixed inhaled combination drugs by dry powder inhaler (DPI) or pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI). Adherence and critical errors were evaluated by means of validated questionnaires at first visit (V1) and after 3–6 months (V2). At V1, subjects underwent intensive training on the correct use of their device by physical demonstration.

Results

A total of 411 asthmatics (F/M: 238/173, mean age±SD: 72 ​± ​5 ​years) participated to the study. At V1, 50% of the study subjects showed an Asthma Control Test (ACT) score ≤19 despite GINA step 3 and 4 treatment, and 40% had experienced at least one severe asthma exacerbation in the previous year. Poor adherence to treatment was recorded in 43% of subjects, and at least one error in using the device was registered in 56% of subjects. At V2, available for 318 patients, both the percentage of individuals with poor adherence and with at least one critical error significantly decreased (from 46% to 25%, and from 49% to 25%, respectively; p ​< ​0.001 for both comparisons) with a significant increase of the ACT score (from 19 ​± ​4.9 to 20 ​± ​4.0, p ​< ​0.001).

Conclusions

Asthma in the elderly is characterized by low levels of symptom control. Educational interventions are strongly advocated in this age group in order to increase adherence to treatment and inhaler techniques.

Asthma, exercise and metabolic dysregulation in paediatrics

Asthma is the most frequent chronic disease in childhood. Chest tightness, cough, wheezing and dyspnoea during or after exercise may be unique manifestations of asthma in up to 90% of subjects. Physical activity may be reduced by uncontrolled asthma symptoms and parental beliefs, impairing physical fitness of asthmatic children. Clinicians working in the field of allergy are aware of evidence supporting the benefits of physical activity for patients with asthma. Treatment of asthma is required in order to obtain its control and to avoid any limitation in sports and active play participation. As exercise performance in children with controlled asthma is not different from that of healthy controls, any exercise limitation cannot be accepted. Overweight and obesity may interfere with asthma and exercise, leading to dyspnoea symptoms. Evidences on the effect of insulin resistance on airway smooth muscle and on bronchial hyperactivity are presented. CONCLUSION: Exercise is part of the strategy to obtain the best control of asthma in childhood, but we have to optimise the asthma control therapy before starting exercise programming. Furthermore, it is crucial to give best attention on the effects of obesity and insulin resistance, because they could in turn influence patients' symptoms.

Frequency of allergic sensitization to Can f 5 in North East Italy. An analysis of 1403 ISACs 112 (Component Resolved Diagnosis) collected retrospectively

Summary

Recent studies have shown the increasing relevance of allergic sensitization to Can f 5, a prostatic kallicrein expressed in the prostate and detectable only in male dogs. The aim of the present study was to establish the frequency, level of sensitization and association with other dog allergens of Can f 5, as assessed by Component Resolved Diagnosis (CRD- ISAC 112, ThermoFisher Scientific, Uppsala, Sweden), in North East Italy. A total of 1403 CRD ISAC 112 were examined retrospectively. Five-hundred twenty subjects (37 %) had a positive IgE response to at least one of the available animal allergens. Among these 520 subjects, 268 (51.5 %) showed at least one sensitization to dog allergens. Among dog-sensitized individuals, 183 (69.02%) showed IgE against Can f 5, and 106 (57.92%) were sensitized exclusively against Can f 5. The average Can f 5 specific IgE was 8.810 ISU-E, with 77.6 % of individuals showing medium or high values of specific IgE according to manufacturer's specifications. In conclusions, our data confirmed that there is a high number of sensitized patients to Can f 5, which have a high degree of allergic sensitization. These results should be taken into account by allergists managing dog allergic patients. In fact, clinical consequences of this sensitization regard respiratory allergy (burden of rhinitis/asthma), systemic reactions (anaphylaxis during sexual intercourse from cross-reaction with human prostatic antigen), allergen immunotherapy-AIT (likely ineffective in patients with exclusive sensitization), and preventive measures (possibility to own a female dog and a likely reduction of allergen passive transport). Further studies are needed to better explore these aspects in "real life".

Analysis of the drop-out rate in patients receiving mepolizumab for severe asthma in real life

Mepolizumab (anti IL-5, monoclonal antibody) is commercially available in Italy since more than one year for the treatment of severe hypereosinophilic asthma. Its efficacy and safety were evaluated in several regulatory trials. The characteristics of this drug in real life began to be assessed only recently. We describe herein the drop-out rate observed with mepolizumab in real life, because this datum can indirectly reflect the safety and tolerability aspects. The demographic and clinical data of patients receiving mepolizumab for severe asthma were collected, and the number and reasons for discontinuation of the treatment were analyzed. The database involves 143 patients (67 male, age range 19-80 year) who received at least one dose of mepolizumab. The observed discontinuation rate was 6/143 (4.2%). Five out of 6 discontinuations were due to lack of response, and one was an adverse event (urticaria) probably related to the treatment. There was no clinical difference between the drop-out group and the patients still ongoing. As compared to the clinical trials published the discontinuation rate was lower in our population, especially for adverse events (7% vs 23.7%). Thus, the tolerability of mepolizumab, as derived from discontinuations, seems to be better in real-life than in clinical trials.

The North-Western Italian experience with anti IL-5 therapy amd comparison with regulatory trials

BACKGROUND

The severe forms of asthma represent a major burden, because of severity of symptoms, costs and impact on everyday life. Recently, Mepolizumab (MEP) was approved and marketed for the treatment of hypereosinophilic severe asthma. This anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody reduced exacerbation rates and oral corticosteroid (OCS) use in well selected patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of patients receiving MEP in a real-life setting. Thus, we describe a retrospective analysis of patients treated with MEP in six centres in North Western Italy, including those who participated in the main regulatory trials.

METHODS

The baseline data, before prescription, from six North Western Italy severe asthma clinics, between June 1st 2017 and December 31st 2017, were evaluated. The collected real-life data were then compared with those of SIRUS, MENSA, DREAM and MUSCA trials.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients were included (45% female; mean age 56 years; age range 19-84). Main observed differences with regulatory trials could be observed in eosinophils blood count at baseline, where the mean of our real-life patients (653 cells/μL) was overall higher than the one of all trials (240 cells/μL, 296 cells/μL, 253 cells/μL; p <  0.0001). The incidence of polyposis was also significantly higher in our sample (72% vs. 24%, 49%, 10%, 19%; p <  0.0001). The daily average dose of OCS was lower in our real-life patients (9 mg), if compared with SIRIUS (13.7 mg), MENSA (13.2) and MUSCA (13), and similar to the data published in DREAM (10.8).

CONCLUSIONS

The comparison of real-life patients' characteristics with regulatory trials, displayed several apparent discrepancies. The demographic and clinical aspects were similar in all groups, whereas other features (eosinophil count, pulmonary function FEV1%) differed. These data, for the first time, could represent a basis for a more accurate prescription of the drug.

Should omalizumab be used in severe asthma/COPD overlap?

A large number of patients suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can show overlapping features of both diseases. Several subjects affected by asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) may be at a severe stage, poorly responsive to triple therapy including inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting β2 agonists and muscarinic antagonists. This review tries to explore whether omalizumab can be used in poorly controlled severe ACO patients. According to the few studies available, omalizumab may improve asthma outcomes in ACO, although the magnitude of improvements may be lower in comparison to those obtained in subjects affected only by severe asthma. Omalizumab, by acting on IgE, might improve the eosinophilic pattern which is characteristic of the ACO asthma inflammation component. It can be hypothesized that a prevalence of Th1/Th17 airway inflammation pathways can modulate a lower response to anti-IgE while a Th2 pattern can lead to a higher effectiveness to omalizumab in ACO. High levels of IgE, FeNO and blood eosinophil count may be markers of a better response to omalizumab. In conclusion, on the basis of the few studies available, omalizumab could be effective in poorly-controlled severe ACO, although to a reduced extent in comparison to patients affected only by asthma.

Critical aspects in dog allergen immunotherapy (DAI). May Component Resolved Diagnosis (CRD) play a role in predicting the efficacy?

We hypothesize that a pivotal condition determining the efficacy of dog allergen immunotherapy (DAI) might be the mono-sensitization to dog lipocalins (Can f 1-2) in individuals not directly or indirectly exposed to other furry animals. In fact, the concomitant sensitization to lipocalins and/or albumins, especially in those patients directly exposed to furry animals, may potentially stimulate patient's airways by inducing persistent inflammation and, thus, clinical symptoms. In these conditions, it is likely that DAI alone could be inadequate to reduce airway inflammation mediated by inhalation of dog allergens in patients with simultaneous exposure to other furry animals. Can f 5 has been found as exclusive allergen in about one third of dog-sensitized individuals. Considering the presence of different allergenic materials in extract of mammalian origin, it is evident that a standard DAI is not likely to be effective in Can f 5 prevalent or mono-sensitized individuals. Moreover, we would underline the need of collecting detailed information on the possible exposures to furry animals (other than the common pets), an information that usually is neglected in clinical practice. Furthermore, a detailed clinical history exploring the real significance of dog sensitization (mono or poly-sensitization, induction of clinical symptoms after exposure etc.) should be performed before prescribing DAI. In some patients, with potential high susceptibility to animal allergens, the use of CRD is essential to verify the presence of concomitant allergic sensitization to lipocalins and/or albumins belonging to other furry animals. The availability of CRD introduced the possibility of a better targeted prescription of DAI because it might be useful for point out the primary allergens and for the exclusion of cross-reactive ones.

Factors reducing omalizumab response in severe asthma

BACKGROUND

Despite adding Omalizumab to conventional therapy, several severe asthmatics still show poor disease control. We investigated the factors that may affect a reduced Omalizumab response in a large population of severe asthmatics.

METHODS

340 patients were retrospectively evaluated. FEV₁%, FVC%, Asthma Control Test (ACT), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), possible step-downs/step-ups of concomitant therapies, exacerbations, disease control levels, ICS doses and SABA use, observed at the end of treatment, were considered as a response to Omalizumab.

RESULTS

Age was an independent risk factor for a reduced response concerning FEV₁%, FVC%, ACT and for a lower asthma control. Obesity (vs normal weight) was a determinant condition for exacerbations (OR:3.114[1.509-6.424], p = 0.002), for a disease partial/no control (OR:2.665[1.064-6.680], p = 0.036), for excessive SABA use (OR:4.448[1.837-10.768], p = 0.002) and for an unchanged/increased level of concomitant asthma medications. Furthermore, obesity also reduced the response in FEV₁ (β = -6.981,p = 0.04), FVC (β = -11.689,p = 0.014) and ACT (β = -2.585, p = 0.027) and was associated with a higher FENO level (β = 49.045,p = 0.040). Having at least one comorbidity was a risk factor for exacerbations (OR:1.383[1.128-1.697], p = 0.008) and for an ACT <20 (OR:2.410[1.071-3.690], p = 0.008). Specifically, chronic heart disease was associated with both a lower ACT and FVC% whereas gastroesophageal reflux with a partial/no asthma control. Nasal polyps were a predisposing factor leading both to exacerbations and to the use of higher inhaled corticosteroids doses. Moreover, smoking habits, pollen or dog/cat dander co-sensitizations may negatively influence Omalizumab response.

CONCLUSION

Age, obesity, comorbidities, smoking habits, nasal polyps, allergic poly-sensitization might reduce Omalizumab effectiveness independently to other asthma-influencing factors.

Selection and Assessment of Laboratory Tests for the Evaluation of Liver Functional Impairment

A large number of biochemical tests is at present available for the evaluation of the different aspects of the liver function. As a consequence, the requirement of laboratory investigations is generally increasing in clinical practice. However, the usefulness of such a tendency in liver investigation is questionable: the doubt concerns both the diagnostic efficacy of new individual tests and the opportunity of a progressive increase in tests requirement.

This paper deals with the problem of selecting liver tests on the basis of their information content with respect to different aspects of liver function. The study was performed on 288 normal and pathological subjects. Two different methods were used: a classical statistical feature selection method, and a method based on the probability theory developed in the framework of the fuzzy sets theory. The ranking of the tests was based on the estimated misclassification rate.

The results obtained appear quite relevant from a practical point of view: no effective improvement in liver functional assessment is reached by using more than 3 or 4 selected tests among the many available for each of the functional aspects considered.

A reasonable compromise between diagnostic efficacy, feasibility, and costs indicates that the following groups of tests could be proposed for the functional assessment of liver diseases in clinical routine: Albumin, Pseudo-cholinesterase, and Prothrombin Time for biosynthesis and metabolism; Bilirubin, Gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase, Bile Acids (fasting) for cholestasis; Aspartate Aminotransferase, Alanine Aminotransferase, Isocitrate-dehydrogenase, for cytolysis; Gamma-globulin, G, A and M Immunoglobulin for reactivity.