Clinical profile of patients with severe asthma

Abstract

The article presents the results of the authors' trial involving 119 patients (aged 22 to 82 years) with severe bronchial asthma (BA) diagnosed according to the ERS/ATS guidelines (2014). Allergic asthma was diagnosed in 77% of patients. The study focused on house dust mites as the main allergens in the sensitization spectrum. A significant proportion of patients (82%) had uncontrolled course of the disease, and 76% suffered from airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. Markers of eosinophilic airway inflammation (nitric oxide in exhaled air and level of blood eosinophils above 150 cells per 1 µL) were found in 63% of patients. Good adherence to treatment (administration of more than 75% of the prescribed doses of drugs) was observed in 61% of patients. Among patients with severe asthma 27% were active smokers. Smokers demonstrated a decreased pulmonary function and a lower level of nitric oxide in exhaled air. Smokers were also less adherent to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids. Severe BA was combined with COPD in 37% of cases