Asthma year in review: New guideline, COVID-19 outcomes, treatment advances

The Healio editors have compiled a list of the most-read asthma news published in 2020.

Some of the highlights from the previous year include a new recommendations from the NIH for the diagnosis, management and treatment of asthma; recent FDA approvals; adult and pediatric asthma-related outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic; and more.

Read these articles, and others, below, in no particular order.

NIH updates guidance for diagnosis, management, treatment of asthma

The NIH has released new recommendations for the diagnosis, management and treatment of asthma in adolescents and adults, the first updates to federal comprehensive asthma guidelines in more than a decade. Read more

Asthma in certain patients elevates risk for worse COVID-19 outcomes

Analysis of sputum samples from patients with asthma suggested that certain subgroups have higher expression of two genes that may make them more susceptible to more severe COVID-19 disease, researchers reported in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Read more

ED visits for acute respiratory illnesses rise before thunderstorms

In a large-scale study, ED visits for thunderstorm-related acute respiratory illnesses were increased in older U.S. adults, including those with asthma and COPD. Read more

FDA approves first ProAir HFA generic

The FDA approved the first generic of ProAir HFA inhalation aerosol — albuterol sulfate — for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease, such as asthma, and the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm in patients aged 4 years and older, according to a company press release. Read more

Steep decline in pediatric ED visits for asthma during COVID-19 shutdown

Pediatric ED visits for asthma in Massachusetts decreased 80% in 2020 during the spring COVID-19 surge and lockdown, researchers reported in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Read more

FDA approves Trelegy Ellipta for new asthma indication

The FDA approved Trelegy Ellipta (GlaxoSmithKline and Innoviva) for the new indication of treatment of asthma in adults. It is the first single-inhaler triple therapy approved for both asthma and COPD, according to a company press release. Read more

Asthma, COPD medication adherence improved during COVID-19 pandemic

From January through March, during the COVID-19 pandemic, adherence to controller inhalers appears to have increased among patients with asthma and COPD, according to a research letter published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Read more

Masitinib reduces asthma exacerbations in uncontrolled severe asthma

Masitinib (AB Science), a first-in-class small tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets mast cell activity, significantly reduced exacerbations in patients with severe asthma uncontrolled by oral corticosteroids compared with placebo, according to data scheduled for presentation at the American Thoracic Society International Conference. Read more

FDA requires boxed warning for montelukast

The FDA has issued a drug safety communication stating that it now requires a boxed warning for montelukast to strengthen the agency’s existing warning about the risk for neuropsychiatric events such as suicidal thoughts or actions associated with the drug, which is used to treat asthma and allergy, according to an agency press release. Read more

Asthma not associated with increased hospitalization in patients with COVID-19

Patients with asthma were not more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 compared with patients without asthma, according to new data published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Read more

Mepolizumab discontinuation increases asthma exacerbations, blood eosinophil count

Continued mepolizumab treatment yielded sustained clinical benefit in most patients with severe eosinophilic asthma, according to data scheduled for presentation at the American Thoracic Society International Conference. Read more

Prescribing based on genetic differences shows benefit in children, teens with asthma

Personalized medicine with genotype-based prescribing of asthma controller medication led to improvement quality of life for young people with asthma compared with standard care, according to new research. Read more

Portable pollution sensors feasible for measuring personal exposure

In a small study, low-cost, portable air pollution sensors captured personalized air-quality information and may potentially provide an alternative to traditional methods of pollution exposure measurement for patients with asthma. Read more

Dupilumab reduces severe asthma exacerbations in children

The LIBERTY ASTHMA VOYAGE trial of dupilumab met its primary and key secondary endpoints in children aged 6 to 11 years with uncontrolled moderate to severe asthma, according to a press release. Read more