VIDEO: Severe asthma underdiagnosed, undertreated

SAN DIEGO — A reimagined approach to uncontrolled severe asthma is needed amid poor diagnosis and management trends, according to Samuel Louie, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of California, Davis.

Speaking at the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting, Louie said it is “very clear from our experience and expertise that asthma is not a single disease: it’s a syndrome.”

“Because of that, we have to recognize the challenges to the patient as well as to ourselves and the practice of medicine,” he said.

Louie pointed out severe asthma is underdiagnosed and thus undertreated.

“This poses not only health threats to the patient but is the cause of more than 80% of the direct costs for asthma care and treatment in the United States,” he said.

Although biologic therapy drugs like Xolair (omalizumab; Genentech, Novartis) and Dupixent (dupilumab; Regeneron/Sanofi) “are able to reduce exacerbations between 41% and 81%,” Louie stressed that care must be algorithm-driven and patient-driven.

“Your experience and expertise, and most importantly your empathy, is going to ensure the patient a good chance of success,” he said.

References:

• Louie S, et al. Newer biologics for patients With severe asthma. Presented at: ACP Internal Medicine Meeting; April 27-29, 2023; San Diego.