Characteristics of Older Individuals with Asthma Being Treated with Biologics

Biologic (antibody) therapy is a safe, effective, and guideline-recommended treatment for patients with severe and otherwise uncontrolled asthma. The number of older individuals with asthma is increasing but there is a lack of data on the use of biologics in this cohort. Therefore, this study reports the characteristics of older individuals receiving biologic therapy for severe asthma.

This study was a retrospective data analysis conducted at two centers in Germany.

Eighty-eight patients were included (52 aged 50-59 years and 36 aged ≥60 years). There was a high rate of comorbidities and associated pharmacological therapy use. Nearly half (49%) of participants were current or ex-smokers and 29% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The older age group (≥ 60 years) had significantly more cardiovascular comorbidities, more comorbidities overall, and a worse diffusion capacity compared with the group aged 50-59 years. Baseline lung function parameters, and the change in lung function after 6 months of biologic therapy, did not differ significantly between the two age groups. Participants aged ≥60 years used self-injection less than those aged 50-59 years.

These data help to characterize the specific population of older people receiving biologic therapy for severe asthma, and showed a high rate of comorbidities, polypharmacy, and poor diffusion capacity in this group.