The real world burden of illness in uncontrolled asthma with elevated eosinophils

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated resource use and costs among controlled and uncontrolled with elevated eosinophil (EOS) counts asthma patients in the US. METHODS: Patients aged ≥12 with an asthma-related healthcare visit between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2013 were identified in linked US electronic medical record and administrative claims data. Patients were followed for 12-months before (baseline) and after (follow-up) their first observed asthma visit to evaluate resource use and costs. A corticosteroid burst was defined as a systemic corticosteroid prescription of 3-14 days. Uncontrolled with elevated EOS patients were those with: >1 all-cause hospitalization, ≥2 systemic corticosteroid bursts, or ≤80% FEV 1 , and >1 EOS count >400 μl during baseline; the remainder were considered controlled. RESULTS: 45,248 asthma patients were identified (45089 classified as controlled, and 159 uncontrolled with elevated EOS). During baseline, uncontrolled utilized more outpatient (88% vs. 82%, p CONCLUSIONS: In a US real-world setting, healthcare resource and costs are significantly higher in uncontrolled asthma patients with elevated EOS versus controlled asthma.