Omalizumab reduced asthma exacerbations in patients older than 50 years by 69%

Omalizumab is approved for the treatment of severe allergic asthma.

This study included 174 asthma patients 50 years or older (51% taking oral corticosteroids, and mean serum IgE level of 315 U/L) and 297 asthma patients younger than 50 years ( 50% taking oral corticosteroids, and mean serum IgE level of 363 U/L) who were treated with omalizumab for 4 months.

Omalizumab reduced the rate of severe exacerbations in patients 50 years or older by 69% and in patients younger than 50 years by 75%.

After 4 months there was a marked reduction of daily asthma symptoms and nocturnal awakenings by 68% and 73% in the older, and by 79% and 82% in the younger patients, respectively.

In 60% of patients 50 years or older lung function improved compared with 69% of patients younger than 50 years.

There was a higher rate of discontinuation of omalizumab therapy in older patients (21% vs 11%).

This study confirms the efficacy of omalizumab in patients with severe allergic asthma irrespective of age.



Severe asthma - differential diagnosis and management (click to enlarge the image). Related: Common Asthma-related Comorbidities. Medscape, 2011, (figure) http://j.mp/qJqwNY

References:
Effectiveness of omalizumab in patients 50 years and older with severe persistent allergic asthma. Korn S, Schumann C, Kropf C, Stoiber K, Thielen A, Taube C, Buhl R. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010 Oct;105(4):313-319.

Image source: Wikipedia, public domain.