From:  Evidence-based answers to clinical controversies in the management of severe asthma

 Comparative methods between biologics for SA

MethodDescriptionKey findings
Direct comparison studiesScientific studies that directly compare different biological medications for treating SA in real-world settings.These studies generally show that all biological drugs improve various objectives, including the frequency of exacerbations, use of systemic corticosteroids, and asthma control.
Indirect comparison studiesThese studies use data from existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and apply statistical methods for indirect comparisons, such as matched-adjusted indirect comparisons (MAIC).They demonstrate variable results with a predominance of the efficacy of one biologic over another in different patient populations.
Systematic reviews and meta-analysesThese studies compile and analyze data from multiple clinical trials, providing a comprehensive view of treatments’ relative efficacy and safety.They allow a more precise estimate of the treatment effect by increasing the sample size and statistical power. Significant heterogeneity was found in the effect estimates across subgroups and endpoints.
Network meta-analysis (NMA)NMA extends traditional meta-analyses, allowing for the simultaneous comparison of multiple treatments, even when direct comparisons in clinical trials do not exist.They provide a comparative view of the efficacy and safety of different biologics for treating SA, integrating data from multiple clinical trials.
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SA: severe asthma