Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: Patient profiles from a large US allergy practice

Abstract

Background

Data on the presentation and management of patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in private practice are limited.

Objective

We sought to characterize the profiles and disease burden of patients with EGPA in a real-world private practice setting.

Methods

This was a retrospective, noninterventional, longitudinal study (GSK ID: 217426) of US Allergy Partners network data. For patients with a diagnosis of EGPA, confirmed by 2 or more EGPA clinical features, index was defined as their first visit with an Allergy Partners physician (January 2007–June 2021); postindex lasted until loss of follow-up or study end (December 2021). Patient characteristics at index, physician characteristics at any time, symptoms, treatment characteristics, and clinical outcomes postindex were assessed.

Results

Of 52 patients (median follow-up, 3.7 years), 75% were diagnosed with EGPA outside the Allergy Partners network. Each patient received care from a median (Q1-Q3) of 4.0 (3.0-5.0) physician specialties. Most had asthma (92%), rhinitis (75%), and sinusitis (62%) and experienced a mean ± SD of 18.1 ± 4.3 distinct self-reported symptoms. Most (85%) used oral corticosteroids, with 73% (32 of 44) on daily doses of more than 12 mg; 60% used mepolizumab. Overall, 75% of patients (39 of 52) achieved a response (improved/controlled symptoms); 46% (24 of 52) achieved controlled status after worsened, unchanged, or active symptoms, and of these 38% (9 of 24) relapsed.

Conclusions

The complex private practice presentation of EGPA, with heterogeneous patient response to standard treatments, highlights a significant disease burden and continued need for optimized treatment strategies within a multidisciplinary team approach.