Mepolizumab reduced healthcare resource utilization and improved work productivity in patients with severe asthma during the REALITI-A 2-year study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the real-world impact of mepolizumab on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) in patients with severe asthma.

Methods: Asthma-related HCRU and WPAI were assessed over 2 years in the REALITI-A study-an international, prospective, observational cohort study in adults with severe asthma newly initiating mepolizumab (100 mg subcutaneous). Secondary endpoints of the study compared the proportion of patients with HCRU use, HCRU events, and WPAI component scores 12 months before mepolizumab initiation with 24 months follow-up. The relative rates of HCRU outcomes were calculated, with a treatment policy estimand for discontinuation.

Results: Patients (N = 822) had a mean age of 54 years and 63% were female. Hospitalization rates were reduced by 53% in the 0-12-month follow-up period (p < 0.001) and sustained for 24 months. The rates of asthma-related hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and outpatient visits reduced by 59-64% (p < 0.001) across the 24-month follow-up. The mean number of overnight hospital stays reduced from 2.4 in the pre-treatment period to 1.0 and 0.5 in the 0-12-month and 12-24-month follow-up periods, respectively. The WPAI Asthma activity impairment score was reduced from baseline by 47% and 55% at 12 and 24 months of follow-up. Overall work impairment was reduced by 62% and 74%.

Conclusions: Mepolizumab treatment reduced HCRU while improving activity and productivity in patients with severe asthma over 2 years. These data provide further evidence of real-world benefits of mepolizumab and may help inform healthcare system resource allocation.

Keywords: HCRU; Mepolizumab; activity; asthma; burden; costs; impairment; productivity; real world; severe asthma.