Medium-term repeatability for airwave oscillometry in patients with severe asthma taking benralizumab

BACKGROUND: The effort-independent tidal breathing test used by oscillometry presents a viable alternative for following up patients whose condition is stable while they are receiving biologic therapy. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine intrasession and intersession repeatability values for airwave oscillometry (AOS) and spirometry in patients who were already taking benralizumab. METHODS: In all, 21 patients with severe eosinophilic asthma attended the Scottish Centre for Respiratory Research as part of a clinical trial (EudraCT identification number 2019-003763-22). Paired AOS and spirometry values were obtained at 3 separate visits (baseline and days 28 and 56) with no change in asthma therapy. RESULTS: Intrasession agreement between repeated measurements for AOS and spirometry was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.90) at all 3 visits. Intersession agreement was also excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.80). CONCLUSION: In this study we report medium-term intrasession and intersession repeatability values for airwave oscillometry and spirometry in a cohort of severely asthmatic patients receiving benralizumab therapy. Oscillometry can be used to follow up patients with asthma who are taking biologics.