Baseline characteristics of patients from the Brazilian Severe Asthma Registry: the REBRAG study

To describe the impact of severe asthma in a real-life cohort in Brazil, reporting on baseline clinical characteristics, access to treatment, and clinical remission under treatment with biologics.

Severe asthma patients > 6 years of age were recruited from 23 centers in Brazil. Data on clinical characteristics, lung function, biomarkers, prescribed therapies, and clinical remission under treatment were collected at the baseline visit.

A total of 417 patients were recruited. Of the 162 adult patients, 71% had a history of hospitalization, with 31% having experienced more than two severe exacerbations in the last 12 months and 6% having experienced cardiopulmonary arrest. Allergic and eosinophilic phenotypes were the most common phenotypes in all age groups, with the T2-low phenotype being observed in 10% of the pediatric patients and in 20% of the adult patients. Only 10% of the adult patients and 1% of the pediatric patients were receiving maintenance oral corticosteroids, whereas 41% of the adult patients were under treatment with biologics, with clinical remission being achieved in 20%.

Severe asthma in Brazil still results in a high disease burden, with less than half of the patients receiving treatment with biologics and clinical remission being achieved in a subgroup of patients treated with biologics for more than 12 months. Achieving disease control remains a major clinical and health care challenge, requiring further actions from specialists and health care providers, as well as additional studies.