Biologics and Selected Upper- and Lower-Airway Outcomes in AERD Subgroups: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

What was studied

This review pooled data from earlier trials. It looked at biologic drugs in people with AERD. AERD is a disease of the nose and lungs, tied to aspirin. The team searched several databases for trials of these drugs. In the trials, some people got the drug and some got a dummy drug. In all, 15 trials with 818 people with AERD were used. The tests covered polyp size, a blocked nose, nose and sinus symptoms, and smell. They also covered asthma control and how much air people could blow out.

What they found

The biologic drugs did better than the dummy drug on every test. Nasal polyps got smaller. The nose was less blocked. People said their nose and sinus symptoms bothered them less. Their sense of smell got better. Asthma control scores and breathing tests also got better. Each gain was larger than the least change thought to matter to patients.

What it means for patients

The authors say biologic drugs helped both the nose and the lungs in AERD. They say the gains were real and large enough to matter. This applies to the people with AERD who took part in these trials.

Why it is not certain yet

The abstract says trials made just for AERD are very rare. The review looked at results in groups of people with AERD. Only some nose and lung tests were chosen for this review. The abstract does not give side effects or how long people were followed. A review can only be as good as the studies in it.

Source

Biologics and Selected Upper- and Lower-Airway Outcomes in AERD Subgroups: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

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