Late Breaking Abstract - The impact of biologic therapy on work capacity and workforce withdrawal in severe asthma

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Severe asthma impacts work capacity. However, little is known about the effects of biologic therapy on patients’ ability to work. We aimed to assess the impact of severe asthma on biologic therapy on work capacity. <bold>Methods:</bold> The present study used data from the Danish Severe Asthma Register, a nationwide cohort of all Danish patients with severe asthma initiating biologic therapy. Hours worked and workforce attachment were tracked in national databases for two years. <bold>Results:</bold> A total of 381 patients (mean age 49 (9.4) years, 52% female) and 1,461 matched controls without severe asthma were included. Annual weeks of employment was lower amongst patients with severe asthma (adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 0.82 (0.80-0.84)) compared to controls, driven by increases in sick leave (aIRR 2.77 (2.58-2.98)), unemployment (aIRR 1.18 (1.31-1.46)) and disability pension (aIRR 1.85 (1.76-1.94)). After initiating biologic therapy, patients had a modest increase in annual hours worked during the second year of treatment (aIRR 1.03 (1.03-1.04)). However, patients remained at risk for temporary (OR 1.83 (1.15-2.93)) and permanent (OR 2.67 (1.16-6.16)) workforce withdrawal compared to controls. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Biologic therapy resulted in an increase in hours worked, yet patients remain at significant risk of early withdrawal from the workforce. Earlier intervention may be important to prevent premature workforce withdrawal. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA4880/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>