Clinical impact of omalizumab treatment in children with severe asthma: Report of a local experience

Omalizumab, an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, is indicated for the treatment of severe asthma. A longitudinal (pre-/post-intervention), observational, analytical study was conducted to assess the clinical and functional course of patients with uncontrolled severe asthma, 16 weeks before and after treatment. Asthma was controlled in 17 cases (p = 0.00001). Exacerbations were reduced by 48.5 % (p = 0.009) and severe crises, by 100 % (p = 0.001). Before omalizumab treatment, 16 patients (94 %) had exacerbations, whereas 10 (59 %) had them after treatment (p = 0.005). None of the patients was hospitalized (p = 0.007). The dose of inhaled corticosteroids was reduced by 20 % (0.002); the number of patients using continuous oral corticosteroids (p = 0.01), salbutamol (p = 0.001), and oral corticosteroids (p=0.003) also decreased. Pulmonary function was not affected. Two patients had mild adverse reactions. Omalizumab achieved an adequate asthma control in patients with severe asthma.