Asthma treatment breakthrough cannot come soon enough for UAE residents

The Asthma UK charity has described early trials of Fevipiprant as 'an exciting development' in asthma treatment, but doctors here say it could be some time before it becomes available in pharmacies.

Results from a clinical trial in the UK offers hope to many asthmatics in the UAE that there could eventually be an alternative to existing steroid medication that can carry side effects. Pawan Singh / The NationalShow less

DUBAI // An end to asthma sufferers’ misery could still be some way off despite a breakthrough in clinical drug trials that show patients could have “improved quality of life”, doctors say.

Asthma UK described early trials of Fevipiprant as “an exciting development” in treatment, but UAE doctors said it could be some time before it is available at pharmacies in this country.

Researchers at University of Leicester, the University of Oxford and Swiss drug maker Novartis found that Fevipiprant reduced inflammation in the airways of 61 asthmatic test patients.

Those tested with severe symptoms found increased lung function and improved control of asthma, as well as fewer inflammatory blood cells in their phlegm and airways.

The findings offer hope to asthmatic people in the UAE of an alternative to existing steroid medication that can carry side effects, or be ineffective in some patients.

As many as 10 per cent of asthma patients did not respond to medication, so new treatments were welcome, said Dr Ahmed Alhaj Saleh, a consultant of internal medicine at Medeor 24X7 Hospital in Dubai.

“Any drug that is an alternative would be welcome if it helps these patients,” he said. “Of course, a lot of further research is needed before this drug is made available to the market.”

The side effects from using steroids to treat chronic asthma include weight gain and skin problems.

The study was published in The Lancet – Respiratory Medicine.

Asthma UK said the research showed “massive promise” but it should be greeted with cautious optimism.

Further research and clinical trials of at least 800 patients would need to be done for more conclusive results, Dr Ahmed said. “Usually, 5 to 10 per cent of my patients would not respond to regular treatment for asthma that is currently available,” he said.

“They have frequent asthma attacks. Our aim is to ensure that they have no night awakening or emergency trips to hospital as a result of asthma, or time off from work or school.”

It becomes particularly bad for asthma sufferers in summer because of the dust and humidity.

Dust clouds and high winds this summer has led to a 20 per cent rise in hospital admissions for asthmatics in some areas.

In 2013, the UAE University identified respiratory disorders as one of the country’s major public health concerns. One in 10 people in the UAE is said to suffer from asthma.

Jacqueline Wood, who has been suffering from chronic asthma for four decades, had sought emergency treatment at a hospital after suffering a severe asthma attack.

“This kind of drug trial is of huge interest to anyone like me who may suffer from asthma or breathing-related problems,” she said.

Mrs Wood, who runs an antique jewellery business in Abu Dhabi, uses Ventolin or Becotide steroid inhalers to ease her symptoms, but would welcome alternatives.

“I try to use them as little as possible. But depending on the weather, I have no choice,” she said. “They are effective to a point. I try not to let it stop me from doing what I do, but you have to be sensible.

“One side effect I’ve had is skin that thins, which means I bruise more easily. Doctors have never given me anything else.”