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Background Omalizumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody indicated as add-on therapy to improve asthma control in patients with severe persistent allergic asthma. Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate social, healthcare expenditure and clinical outcomes changes after incorporating omalizumab into standard treatment in the control of severe asthma. Methods In this multicentre retrospective study, a total of 220 patients were included from 15 respiratory medicine departments in the regions of Andalusia and Extremadura (Spain). Effectiveness was calculated as a 3-point increase in the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and a reduction in the annual number of exacerbations. The economic evaluation included both direct and indirect costs. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated. Results from the year before and the year after incorporation of omalizumab were compared. Results After adding omalizumab, improvement of lung function, asthma and rhinitis according to patient perception, as well as the number of exacerbations and asthma control measured by the ACT score were observed. Globally, both healthcare resources and pharmacological costs decreased after omalizumab treatment, excluding omalizumab cost. When only direct costs were considered, the ICER was €1712 (95% CI 1487–1995) per avoided exacerbation and €3859 (95% CI 3327–4418) for every 3-point increase in the ACT score. When both direct and indirect costs were considered, the ICER was €1607 (95% CI 1385–1885) for every avoided exacerbation and €3555 (95% CI 3012–4125) for every 3-point increase. Conclusions Omalizumab was shown to be an effective add-on therapy for patients with persistent severe asthma and allowed reducing key drivers of asthma-related costs.

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Anxiety and depression showed significant and progressive improvement during treatment (A: baseline 9.2 ± 4.5, 5.9 ± 3.6 1 month, 3 months 4.5 ± 3.1, p.

Purpose Implementing adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs is key to obtaining the best results. The objective of our study was to evaluate the influence of weather conditions (humidity, temperature, and precipitation) on attendance to a PR program in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods This prospective observational study, carried out in Seville (Spain), included COPD patients who participated in a 36‐session outpatient mixed (strength and endurance) training program for 12 weeks. The program included educational sessions as well. The attendance at the program scheduled sessions during 1 year was evaluated in relation to the meteorological conditions of relative humidity in percentage (%), temperature in degree centigrade (°C), and precipitation in millimeters (mm) according to the data from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and the meteorological center of La Rinconada. Results A total of 81 COPD patients who underwent 2903 sessions were analyzed. The annual average attendance of the program was 78.6%. No differences were found in the attendance to the program depending on the climatic conditions evaluated throughout the year. Conclusions In a specific geographical area such as Seville, meteorological conditions are not a determining factor of attendance to the PR program for COPD patients.