Severe asthma in Kuwait population: Phenotype-based approach.

Abstract Background There is increasing recognition of marked phenotypic heterogeneity within severe asthma patients. Methods Severe asthma patients on GINA step 4 or 5 treatment, followed up at Al-Rashed Allergy center Kuwait, were evaluated for: demographics (gender, age, age of asthma onset), comorbidities (allergic rhinitis (AR), chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), obesity), blood biomarkers (total serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE), peripheral eosinophils), and sensitization to inhalants allergens. Results A total of 169 patients were candidates for biological treatment. Patients were divided in two groups based on level of total IgE as a “low” group with IgE Conclusion The majority of severe asthma patients in Kuwait are obese females with adult-onset asthma (>18 years of age) who were allergic with comorbid conditions including AR, CRS and CRSwNP, which correlates well with the level of Eos.