Oral corticosteroid sparing with omalizumab in severe allergic (IgE-mediated) asthma patients.

Background: Long-term oral corticosteroid (OCS) therapy and related adverse events are associated with a significant burden on patients and healthcare resources.

Methods: This subgroup analysis of a randomized, open-label, parallel-group study evaluated the OCS-sparing effect of omalizumab (OMA) added to optimized asthma therapy (OAT), compared with OAT alone. Patients (12-75 years) with severe allergic asthma, uncontrolled despite GINA 2004 Step 4 therapy, received OMA or OAT for 32 weeks.

Uncontrolled persistent allergic asthma in practice: eXpeRience registry baseline characteristics.

Background: Medical registries can be used to assess and monitor the effectiveness and safety of approved therapy, and provide insights into how quality of care can be optimized.

Methods: The post-marketing, non-interventional, observational registry (eXpeRience) aims to collect data on the treatment effectiveness and safety of omalizumab in 'real-world' practice. The baseline characteristics of patients with uncontrolled allergic asthma receiving omalizumab therapy and included in the first interim analysis of this observational registry are reported.