Biologic therapies for severe asthma not only reduce the need for oral corticosteroids (OCS) but also significantly lower the risk of developing serious systemic health complications associated with long-term steroid use. That’s according to the results of the global study, “Prevention of Cardiovascular and Other Systemic Adverse Outcomes in Patients With Asthma Treated With Biologics.”
The study, which was published in the American Thoracic Society’s (ATS) American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, reviewed data from more than 42,000 patients across 16 countries who were in the International Severe Asthma Registry (ISAR) and the U.K.-based Optimum Patient Care Research Database (OPCRD). The study compared outcomes between patients who began biologic treatments and those who did not.
Researchers found that patients receiving biologics were substantially less likely to develop new-onset adverse outcomes commonly linked to prolonged OCS use, including diabetes, major cardiovascular events and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
According to researchers, the findings are a significant step forward in understanding the broader benefits of biologics beyond asthma control.
Key findings include:
- A 38% reduction in the risk of developing diabetes among biologic users.
- A 35% lower risk of major cardiovascular events.
- A 32% decrease in the incidence of anxiety and/or depression.
Although the study did not find statistically significant differences in the rates of cataracts, sleep apnea or osteoporosis, the overall trend favored biologic treatments in reducing systemic risks.
Researchers used advanced statistical methods, including inverse probability of treatment weighting and Cox proportional hazard models, to ensure robust comparisons between the two patient groups over a five-year period.
They noted that this study reinforces the importance of considering biologics not just for asthma symptom control, but also for long-term health preservation. Because asthma affects millions worldwide, the study’s authors said the findings could influence treatment guidelines and encourage broader access to biologic therapies for patients with severe forms of the disease.
