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"Patient remodeling" as a consequence of uncontrolled and prolonged OCS use in severe asthma: how biologic therapy
Margherita Perlato1, Valentina Mecheri1, Emanuele Vivarelli2
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Introduction:
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that can lead to airways remodeling. Despite their well-known side-effects, oral corticosteroids (OCS) continue to be used to reduce exacerbations and control asthma symptoms in many patients.
Case Study:
We describe two cases of uncontrolled severe asthma characterized by systemic clinical consequences of prolonged OCS use, such as diabetes, weight gain, and osteoporosis.
Results:
Both patients were treated with Dupilumab. During follow-up both patients showed an improvement in asthma control and were able to gradually taper the OCS dose, thus reducing the clinical burden associated with hypercortisolism.
Conclusion:
Dupilumab was able to control both the inflammatory-induced "airway remodeling" as well as the OCS-induced "patient remodeling".
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