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Evaluation Of Asthma Control In Patients With And Without Sinonasal Polyps Following Treatment With Biologic Agents, Prachi Patel, Chandala Chitguppi, Md, Alan Gandler, Md, Kira Murphy, Md, Tawfiq Khoury, Md, Stephanie Bork, Crnp, Pamela Monostra, Pa, Elina Toskala, Md, Phd, Mindy Rabinowitz, Md, Marc Rosen, Md, Gurston Nyquist, Md, Jessica Most, Md

The Medicine Forum

Background: The effects of biologics on severe asthmatics with chronic rhinosinusitis with sinonasal polyposis (CRSwNP) have not been well established. This study evaluates overall control of asthma in patients with and without sinonasal polyps following initiation of biologics therapy.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients with asthma treated with a biologic agent (benralizumab, omalizumab, dupilumab, mepolizumab) and CRSwNP. Charts were assessed for ACT scores at time of biologic enrollment and at 4-7 months.

Results:82 patients met inclusion criteria; 42 (52.5%) patients with asthma and 40 (47.5%) with concurrent sinonasal polyps. The average ACT score for the non-polyp cohort was 13.16 …

Increasing Patient Confidence In Managing Asthma Using Asthma Action Plans, Pankhuri Jha, Jessica F. Most, Md

The Medicine Forum

Asthma is a common illness affecting 8% of the US population and costing $81.9 billion per year.^1,2 Due to its chronic and variable nature, asthmatics need frequent medication adjustments, making management challenging for both physicians and patients. Studies show that patients can control their asthma using an asthma action plan (AAP), which includes directions for daily self-assessment, baseline medications and steps to facilitate detection and treatment of an exacerbation. Self-management education using AAPs is associated with a reduction in hospital admissions and ED visits by 40% and 20%, respectively.³ Despite evidence that AAPs are efficacious, the underlying reason …