EFFECTS OF BIOLOGIC DRUG MEPOLIZUMAB ON HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND LUNG FUCTION IN SEVERE EOSINOPHILIC ASTHMA: MUSCA STUDY DATA

Abstract

The long-term goals of asthma management are to achieve good symptom control, and to minimise any future risk of exacerbations, fixed airflow limitation, and side effects of treatment. Improving patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is also important. Improving HRQOL is of particular interest in severe eosinophilic asthma, which is characterised by recurrent exacerbations, poor disease control, accelerated lung function decline, and decreased HRQOL. Mepolizumab – anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody – was associated with significant improvements in HRQOL in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma, and had a safety profile similar to that of placebo. These results add to and support the use of mepolizumab as a favourable add-on treatment option to standard of care in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma.