Introduction: Information on characteristics of patients with asthma on GINA 4/5 therapies in China is limited.
Aims and Objectives: To describe characteristics of patients in China on GINA 4/5 therapies by blood eosinophils (EOS).
Methods: Adelphi Respiratory Disease Specific Programme was a point-in-time survey completed Aug?Dec 2018. Patients from 230 physicians? next 1) 3?4 consulting adult patients with confirmed asthma and 2) 2 patients with physician-perceived severe asthma were included.
Results: Overall, 754 GINA 4/5-treated patients were identified, of whom 388 had, and 366 did not have, an EOS test. Of the 388 (51%) with an EOS test (83% in the last 12 months): 52 (13%) had <150 cells/µL; 115 (30%) ?150 cells/µL; and 221 (57%) value unknown. Mean age (SD) was comparable in those with (45.7 [14.4] yrs) and without (45.4 [14.1] yrs) an EOS test; 51% and 45% were male, respectively. Physician-perceived asthma was likely to be more severe in those with an EOS test (46% [<150 cells/µL: 42%; ?150 cells/µL: 39%; value unknown: 51%]) than in those without (26%). In the last 12 months, ?1 severe exacerbation occurred in 42% of those with an EOS test (<150 cells/µL: 27%; ?150 cells/µL: 43%; value unknown: 45%), vs 11% without; 60% of those with an EOS test also had IgE testing vs 19% of those without.
Conclusions: Among patients on GINA 4/5 therapy in China, blood EOS testing was performed in 51% of patients, but many physicians were not able to provide or access these EOS values. EOS measurement was associated with more severe asthma and greater exacerbation frequency. Optimising EOS testing, and their results availability, could support asthma endotyping and personalised care.
Funding: GSK (214911)