Study by Analysis Group and AstraZeneca Researchers Fills Real-World Data Gap for Providers Treating Severe Asthma Sufferers
April 5, 2022
Researchers from Analysis Group and AstraZeneca have published results from their ZEPHYR 1 study, the first real-world study documenting the effectiveness and economic benefits of benralizumab, a biologic therapy for patients suffering from eosinophilic asthma. While the efficacy of benralizumab has been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials, practitioners have had little real-world data on the medication to support treatment decisions for this severe and difficult-to-treat form of asthma.
The ZEPHYR 1 study fills this knowledge gap by analyzing claims data on patients being treated with benralizumab in real-word settings. The research team, including Analysis Group Vice Presidents Fan Mu and Keith Betts, Manager Erin Cook, and Senior Analysts Joshua Young and Danni Yang, drew on an insurance claims dataset of medical and pharmacy claims containing information on patient demographics, prescriptions, procedures, and diagnoses from over 150 unique payers and over 115 million patients across the US. Among other findings, the study authors noted a significant reduction in asthma exacerbations, oral corticosteroid use, and concomitant asthma medications in the 12 months following the initiation of benralizumab. These data may offer an alternative to the adverse effects associated with prolonged use of corticosteroids when treating severe asthma.
The study, “Real-world effectiveness of benralizumab: results from the ZEPHYR 1 Study,” appeared in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.