Mepolizumab reduces healthcare resource utilization in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: a...

Real-world evidence on the effectiveness of mepolizumab at reducing healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and clinical symptoms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is limited.

This real-world study used linked electronic medical record and claims data from the OM1 Real-World Data Cloud of clinician networks in the US, including an ear, nose and throat physician registry. CRSwNP-related HCRU, procedures, concomitant medications, and sign and symptom outcomes were assessed in adult patients with CRSwNP who initiated mepolizumab on/after July 29, 2021 (index date), with ≥1 mepolizumab record, data available for ≥12 months pre- and ≥6 months post-index (follow-up/post-mepolizumab period).

There was a significant difference in CRSwNP-related HCRU 6-months post- versus pre-mepolizumab initiation (N = 245), mean difference in outpatient visits (95% confidence interval): -0.82(-1.10, -0.53), p < 0.0001; otolaryngologist visits: -0.35(-0.54, -0.16), p = 0.0004; allergist visits: -0.28(-0.43, -0.14), p = 0.0001. Similar reductions were observed for all-cause HCRU. At 6-months post-mepolizumab, proportion of patients with oral corticosteroid and oral antibiotic prescriptions substantially reduced (36% pre- vs. 27% post-; and 38% pre- vs. 23% post-, respectively). There were clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms recorded 6-months post- versus pre-mepolizumab, with fewer patients experiencing anosmia (-53%), facial pain/pressure (-35%), nasal discharge (-32%) and nasal obstruction (-29%).

In real-world practice, mepolizumab is associated with reduced HCRU and improved clinical symptoms, potentially alleviating medication burden in patients with CRSwNP. These results indicate, beyond improvements shown in randomized controlled trials, mepolizumab may reduce HCRU disease burden as early as 6-months post-initiation. This study offers real-world insight that may support clinical decision-making with mepolizumab.