Efficacy And Safety Of Antifungal Treatment In Fungal Asthma: A Real Life Study
November 2018
TLDR Antifungal treatment reduced asthma exacerbations and corticosteroid use but its overall benefit is unclear.
The study assessed the efficacy and safety of antifungal treatments in patients with fungal asthma, specifically severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), at a tertiary asthma center in England. Out of 563 reviewed patient records, 80 had fungal asthma, and 28 of these received antifungal treatments (itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole). After 12 months, there was a significant reduction in the use of rescue oral corticosteroids and maintenance oral prednisolone, though changes in other clinical outcomes like FEV1 and asthma control were not significant. Side effects were noted in 31% of treated patients. The study concluded that while antifungal treatment reduced exacerbations and corticosteroid use, the clinical significance remains uncertain, highlighting the need for controlled trials.
