Characteristics of patients with severe asthma in primary and secondary care settings considered eligible for biological therapy – the Bulgarian RECOGNISE study

Introduction : Asthma is a major non-communicable disease. It affects both children and adults, but the most common chronic condition among former. While inhaled controller drugs stabilize disease in asthma patients, there are certain number of people who suffer from severe asthma, which requires treatment escalation. Oral corticosteroids usually added, they associated with various side effects that may limit their application. The introduction biologicals targeting inflammatory mediators has opened new era highlighting importance patient characterization. Aim RECOGNISE study sought to provide real-world insight into characteristics patients deemed eligible for biological therapy based on judgment clinical investigator primary secondary care settings. Materials methods was multicenter, observational, cross-sectional, one-visit characterize those considered settings Bulgaria. Female male over 18 years age were enrolled at four sites across country. Severe diagnosis had be agreement American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) guidelines. Patients provided patient-reported outcomes control health-related quality life (HRQoL). Investigators completed specifically designed electronic case report forms (eCRFs), included demographics medical history. Medical history lung function, biomarkers, comorbidities, exacerbations, Healthcare Resource Utilization (HRU), prescribed medication last 12 months as well adherence medication. Results Ninety-two Bulgarian (females prevailing – 65.22%). median (range) 40 (18, 74) years. Most never-smokers (n=72, 78.26%). For total EOS blood count 431.0 cells/µl (n=19) percentage 5.95% (n=64). Chronic OCS use (treatment maintenance ≥50% previous year) documented 30.1% patients. results cohort show 90.2% approved biologicals. Conclusions current findings emphasize how crucial it monitored by an specialist can determine when time switch