@Article{Skiepko2014,
journal="Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii",
issn="1642-395X",
volume="31",
number="5",
year="2014",
title="Original paperChanges in blood eosinophilia during omalizumab therapy as a predictor of asthma exacerbation",
abstract=" Introduction : Omalizumab is a monoclonal anti-immunoglobulin E antibody developed for the treatment of severe allergic asthma. The number of exacerbations used as a parameter of omalizumab therapy efficacy may be insufficient in many cases due to a relatively short time to first evaluation (16 weeks). Therefore, it is advisable to look for parameters of more prognostic value while continuing omalizumab therapy.    Aim : To evaluate usefulness of analysis of changes of blood eosinophilia after 16 weeks of omalizumab therapy as a predictor of asthma exacerbations.   Material and methods : The study was conducted on a group of 13 patients with severe persistent allergic asthma treated with omalizumab. Blood eosinophil counts were measured before and after 16 weeks of anti-IgE therapy. On the basis of percentage of eosinophilia decrease (> 50% or < 50% of the initial value), patients were divided into two groups. Analysis of the asthma exacerbation rate during 12 months and time to first exacerbation was performed.    Results : In the group with a high decrease in blood eosinophil counts (group 1) we showed a statistically significantly lower asthma exacerbation rate in 12 months compared with the group with a low decrease in blood eosinophil counts (group 2) ( p  = 0.02). We also observed the tendency to longer time to first asthma exacerbation in group 1 compared to group 2 ( p  = 0.06).    Conclusions : Our results showed that a decrease in blood eosinophilia during omalizumab therapy can be a predictor of asthma exacerbation. Evaluation of changes in blood eosinophil count should be taken into the consideration while estimating response to anti-IgE therapy in patients with severe allergic asthma.",
author="Skiepko, Roman
and Ziętkowski, Ziemowit
and Łukaszyk, Mateusz
and Budny, Wojciech
and Skiepko, Urszula
and Milewski, Robert
and Bodzenta-Łukaszyk, Anna",
pages="305--309",
doi="10.5114/pdia.2014.40973",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/pdia.2014.40973"
}