Impact of type 2 targeting biologics on acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis

Allergy Asthma Proc. 2021 Sep 1;42(5):417-424. doi: 10.2500/aap.2021.42.210058.

Abstract

Background: Acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis (AECRS) are associated with significant morbidity and decreased quality of life. There are sparse data assessing the real-world impact of biologics on AECRS. Objectives: We sought to determine the impact of type 2-targeting biologics on the frequency of medication use for AECRS episodes. Methods: Antibiotic and/or systemic corticosteroid courses for AECRS were identified in a retrospective study from November 2015 to February 2020, at a single academic health system. The estimated yearly rates for antibiotic and corticosteroid courses were evaluated before and after initiation of type 2 biologics. Results: One-hundred and sixty-five patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) had received either omalizumab (n = 12), mepolizumab (n = 42), benralizumab (n = 44), dupilumab (n = 61), or reslizumab (n = 6). Seventy percent had CRS with nasal polyps, and 30% had CRS without nasal polyps. All the patients had asthma. When all the biologics were combined, the estimated yearly rate for antibiotics for AECRS decreased from 1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.59) to 0.68 (95% CI, 0.52-0.88) with biologic use (49% reduction, p < 0.001). Those with frequent AECRS (three or more courses of antibiotics in the 1 year before biologic use) had a larger degree of reduction, with an estimated yearly rate of 4.15 (95% CI, 3.79-4.55) to 1.58 (95% CI, 1.06-2.35) with biologic use (n = 27; 62% reduction; p < 0.001). Within the total cohort, the estimated yearly rate for systemic corticosteroids for AECRS decreased from 1.69 (95% CI, 1.42-2.02) to 0.68 (95% CI, 0.53-0.88) with biologic use (60% reduction; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Type 2-targeting biologics reduced medication use for AECRS. This suggested that biologics may be a therapeutic option for patients with frequent AECRS.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Biological Products* / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Nasal Polyps* / drug therapy
  • Quality of Life
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rhinitis* / drug therapy
  • Rhinitis* / epidemiology
  • Sinusitis* / drug therapy
  • Sinusitis* / epidemiology

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Biological Products