6-month benefits in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and physical activity (PA) in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) treated with benralizumab: interim analysis of imPROve Asthma

Objectives ImPROve Asthma (NCT04184284) is the first real-world study in Germany to evaluate PRO and PA in patients receiving benralizumab according to the EU label.

Methods This interim analysis evaluated change from baseline in St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and symptom burden using a visual analogue scale (VAS) after 6 months of benralizumab treatment.

SGRQ, a 50-item questionnaire yields a total score (minimal clinically important difference [MCID]: decrease≥4 units) and 3 domain scores (symptom, activity and psychosocial impact). The VAS for asthma symptoms is a linear scale ranging from 0 (not bothersome at all) to 10 cm (extremely bothersome).

A subgroup (26 patients) was analysed for PA via activity trackers.

Results SGRQ and VAS were provided by 147 patients at baseline and 6 months. Median change from baseline for SGRQ total score was -19.38; 78.2% had a decrease of≥4 units. 14.3% had no change and 7.5% had an increase of SGRQ total score. SGRQ symptom, activity, and impact domain scores decreased by 12.99, 26.02 and 17.56 units, respectively. Improvements with benralizumab were consistently observed for all domains at all post-baseline time points.

Symptom burden measured by VAS improved (median decrease of 2.4 cm) after 6 months.

In the subgroup using activity tracker, PA increased by a median of 1,576 steps per day after 6 months compared to baseline.

Conclusions Benralizumab treatment in SEA results in a clear improvement of symptoms, clinically meaningful improvements in SGRQ total score and substantial improvements in the activity domain, which is mirrored by an increase of objectively measured PA.

Publication History

Article published online:
09 March 2023