Characteristics of Older Individuals with Asthma Being Treated with Biologics

Maria Aetou,1,* Yavor Kiskinov,2,* Sitraka Faniry Nantenaina Ratsimba,1 Maximilian Barth,1 Carmen Pizarro,2 Ingmar Bergs,1 Jens Spiesshoefer,1 Dirk Skowasch,2,* Michael Dreher1,* 1Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospita...

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Main Authors: Aetou M, Kiskinov Y, Ratsimba SFN, Barth M, Pizarro C, Bergs I, Spiesshoefer J, Skowasch D, Dreher M
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Asthma and Allergy
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/characteristics-of-older-individuals-with-asthma-being-treated-with-bi-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JAA
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author Aetou M
Kiskinov Y
Ratsimba SFN
Barth M
Pizarro C
Bergs I
Spiesshoefer J
Skowasch D
Dreher M
author_facet Aetou M
Kiskinov Y
Ratsimba SFN
Barth M
Pizarro C
Bergs I
Spiesshoefer J
Skowasch D
Dreher M
author_sort Aetou M
collection DOAJ
description Maria Aetou,1,* Yavor Kiskinov,2,* Sitraka Faniry Nantenaina Ratsimba,1 Maximilian Barth,1 Carmen Pizarro,2 Ingmar Bergs,1 Jens Spiesshoefer,1 Dirk Skowasch,2,* Michael Dreher1,* 1Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany; 2Department of Internal Medicine II, Cardiology, Pneumology and Angiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Maria Aetou, Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, Aachen, Germany, 52074, Tel +0049 2418088763, Email maetou@ukaachen.dePurpose: 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.Patients and Methods: This study was a retrospective data analysis conducted at two centers in Germany.Results: 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.Conclusion: 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.Keywords: antibodies, asthma, biologics, elderly, lung function
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spelling doaj-art-7023df60116a4ce9ae253fcf1076d7cb2025-08-20T03:29:49ZengDove Medical PressJournal of Asthma and Allergy1178-69652025-06-01Volume 18Issue 19931002103777Characteristics of Older Individuals with Asthma Being Treated with BiologicsAetou M0Kiskinov Y1Ratsimba SFN2Barth M3Pizarro C4Bergs I5Spiesshoefer J6Skowasch D7Dreher M8Pneumology and Intensive Care MedicineInternal Medicine II, Cardiology, Pneumology and AngiologyPneumology and Intensive Care MedicinePneumology and Intensive Care MedicineDepartment of Pneumology, Medical Clinic IIPneumology and Intensive Care MedicinePneumology and Intensive Care MedicineInternal Medicine II, Cardiology, Pneumology and AngiologyPneumology and Intensive Care MedicineMaria Aetou,1,* Yavor Kiskinov,2,* Sitraka Faniry Nantenaina Ratsimba,1 Maximilian Barth,1 Carmen Pizarro,2 Ingmar Bergs,1 Jens Spiesshoefer,1 Dirk Skowasch,2,* Michael Dreher1,* 1Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany; 2Department of Internal Medicine II, Cardiology, Pneumology and Angiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Maria Aetou, Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, Aachen, Germany, 52074, Tel +0049 2418088763, Email maetou@ukaachen.dePurpose: 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.Patients and Methods: This study was a retrospective data analysis conducted at two centers in Germany.Results: 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.Conclusion: 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.Keywords: antibodies, asthma, biologics, elderly, lung functionhttps://www.dovepress.com/characteristics-of-older-individuals-with-asthma-being-treated-with-bi-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JAAantibodiesasthmabiologicselderlylung function
spellingShingle Aetou M
Kiskinov Y
Ratsimba SFN
Barth M
Pizarro C
Bergs I
Spiesshoefer J
Skowasch D
Dreher M
Characteristics of Older Individuals with Asthma Being Treated with Biologics
Journal of Asthma and Allergy
antibodies
asthma
biologics
elderly
lung function
title Characteristics of Older Individuals with Asthma Being Treated with Biologics
title_full Characteristics of Older Individuals with Asthma Being Treated with Biologics
title_fullStr Characteristics of Older Individuals with Asthma Being Treated with Biologics
title_full_unstemmed Characteristics of Older Individuals with Asthma Being Treated with Biologics
title_short Characteristics of Older Individuals with Asthma Being Treated with Biologics
title_sort characteristics of older individuals with asthma being treated with biologics
topic antibodies
asthma
biologics
elderly
lung function
url https://www.dovepress.com/characteristics-of-older-individuals-with-asthma-being-treated-with-bi-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JAA
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