OBJECTIVES: EGPA is a rare chronic disease characterised by the combination of small/medium vessel vasculitis, hypereosinophilia and asthma. Published literature on the burden of EGPA in Europe is limited. Using a large European cohort of patients with EGPA, we describe regional differences in the EGPA-related clinical and disease burden.

METHODS: This retrospective chart review study included patients ≥12 years of age with a confirmed EGPA diagnosis and ≥1 year of follow-up data after the first physician encounter between Jan 2015–Dec 2019. A panel of 204 physicians across 5 European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK) abstracted patient charts. Patient characteristics, clinical manifestations and EGPA-related treatment patterns were described for the overall population and by country.

RESULTS: In total, 407 patients were included; 80–85 patients per country. The median (IQR) age at diagnosis was 44.5 (32.8–53.7) years, with a mean (SD) disease duration of 3.6 (3.2) years from diagnosis. Overall, 58% of patients had ≥3 distinct clinical manifestations. The most commonly affected organ systems varied by country: lungs in France (68%) and Spain (67%); ear, nose and throat in the UK (56%) and Italy (54%); and constitutional in the UK (56%) and Germany (48%). The proportion of patients who experienced remission (physician defined) was highest in Germany (71%) and lowest in France (51%). Across all countries, 75% of patients received ≥3 EGPA therapies. The proportion of patients receiving oral corticosteroids was high in all countries (98% [France] to 100% [Germany and the UK]); conversely, immunosuppressant and biologic use varied between countries (immunosuppressants/other therapies: 46% [France] to 77% [UK]; biologics: 21% [Germany] to 69% [Italy]).

CONCLUSIONS: Regional variations in clinical manifestations, remission and treatment patterns suggests differences in treatment approach for patients with EGPA across Europe. Strategies to optimise EGPA management are needed.