IMPACT OF BASELINE LUNG FUNCTION ON FUTURE EXACERBATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE ASTHMA

Introduction Although reduced lung function is associated with quality of life impairment and increased mortality risk, limited real-world evidence exists on the impact of forced expiratory volume in one second percent predicted (FEV1pp) on exacerbations among moderate-to-severe asthma patients. Methods Data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink was used to identify adult patients with clinical diagnosis codes for asthma and having prescription utilization patterns indicative of moderate-to-severe asthma (Step 3–5 per British Thoracic Society 2011 guidelines). The date of first asthma prescription during 01JAN2010–31DEC2012 was the index date. Patients had 12-months pre-index and 36-months post-index date data. Additionally, patients having baseline FEV1pp results were selected to assess the relationship between FEV1pp and follow-up severe asthma exacerbations. Severe asthma exacerbations were identified by asthma-related emergency room visits, inpatient admissions, or acute oral corticosteroid use. Patients were stratified by baseline FEV1pp (nearest FEV1pp result ±180 days of index date): Group 1 (G1), ≥80%; G2, 50–79%; G3, Results Overall, 36,614 patients were identified of which 1,865 had baseline FEV1pp results. Patients with lower baseline FEV1pp (G2 and G3) had a significantly greater risk for and higher incidence of exacerbations compared with G1 (see Table). Conclusions Lower baseline FEV1pp levels are associated with a higher risk of severe exacerbations suggesting that baseline lung function is an important predictor of future asthma exacerbations. Table. Severe exacerbation risk over the follow-up period categorized by baseline FEV1pp group in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma