Vol. 16 No. 1 (2018)
Research Article

Omalizumab Treatment for Severe Atopic Asthma in a Real World Montréal Cohort

David Haile-Meskale
Mcgill University school of medicine
Bio
Ron Olivenstein
Mcgill University Health centre
Bio
Toby Mcgovern
Mcgill
Bio
Cathy Fugere
Mcgill University health centre
Bio
James G. Martin
Mcgill university health centre
Bio

Published 2018-07-06

Keywords

  • atopic asthma,
  • severe asthma,
  • omalizumab,
  • exacerbation

How to Cite

1.
Haile-Meskale D, Olivenstein R, Mcgovern T, Fugere C, Martin JG. Omalizumab Treatment for Severe Atopic Asthma in a Real World Montréal Cohort. McGill J Med [Internet]. 2018 Jul. 6 [cited 2025 Oct. 6];16(1). Available from: https://mjm.mcgill.ca/article/view/75

Abstract

Background: 

Individuals with severe atopic asthma are poorly controlled with standard treatments, including corticosteroids. A humanized monoclonal antibody binding immunoglobulin E (IgE), omalizumab, is approved to treat patients that are managed poorly despite optimal therapy and that have elevated serum levels of IgE.  

Objective: 

The purpose of this study was to determine omalizumab’s effectiveness in a real-world setting. The primary outcome was the number of exacerbations of asthma requiring oral corticosteroid treatment in the 2 year pre-treatment period compared to 2 years post-treatment. The secondary outcome was cumulative dose of prednisone used before and after treatment. Other outcomes that were measured included: reduction in maintenance therapy, change in spirometry (FEV1) data, the stratification of patient population based on smoking status, and average exacerbation number and prednisone use as a function of IgE level and blood eosinophilia count.   

Methods: 

Patient data were retrieved (n=41) through the hospital records of patients treated at the Montreal Chest Institute of the McGill University Health Center. Data were gathered and analyzed for the 2 years before the treatment start date and compared to data 2 years after. 

 Results:

There was a significant reduction in average exacerbation number from 6.4  pre-treatment to 3.2  post-treatment (p=0.003). There was also a reduction in cumulative prednisone use from 2504mg to 1423mg (p=0.04) following the institution of omalizumab treatment. There was no correlation between either the initial IgE levels and blood eosinophilia and the reduction in exacerbations  

Conclusion: 

Omalizumab was effective in reducing exacerbation number and prednisone use for patients with severe refractory asthma.  

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