Trials of medicines in severe asthma - are the right people being included?

What is it about?

Our article investigates the number of people with severe asthma, taken from a severe asthma cohort, who would be eligible for clinical trials of new medications in severe asthma. It shows that very few people with severe asthma would be meet the criteria to be enrolled in the trials, even when they should benefit from the treatment being studied. This means that guidelines and recommendations for use of new treatments only have an evidence base in a very small group of patients.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Research of new medicines forms the basis for advice from national committees and new guidelines. This study shows that most people with severe asthma are excluded from the research studies, raising the question as to whether our research and recommendations apply to most people with severe asthma.