Asthma Exacerbations During the Pandemic: Time to Rethink Clinical Markers

Ortega H, Katz LE, Chupp G. Asthma Exacerbations During the Pandemic: Time to Rethink Clinical Markers. J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob. 2022 Oct 20. doi: 10.1016/j.jacig.2022.09.003. Epub ahead of print.

Abstract

Background

Reductions in asthma exacerbations during the COVID-19 pandemic may have an impact on clinical trial enrollment and outcomes.

Objective

To review clinical studies and reports evaluating asthma exacerbations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We reviewed clinical studies conducted with biologics over the past decade that evaluated asthma exacerbations as the primary endpoint.

Efficacy of single dose dermatological 0.1% Tacrolimus Ointment in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Sharjeel M, Iqbal U, Jabran A, Mehmood A, Mohiuddin M. Efficacy of single dose dermatological 0.1% Tacrolimus Ointment in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis. J Pak Med Assoc. 2022 Sep;72(9):1694-1698. doi: 10.47391/JPMA.3541.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the safety of dermatological 0.1% tacrolimus ointment when used topically and its efficacy in the treatment of vernal keratoconvinctivtis.

 

Method: The quasi-experimental, multi-centre study was conducted at the Gujranwala Medical College/District Headquarters Teaching Hospital, Gujranwala, and the Gomal Medial College/Mufti Mehmood Teaching Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, from July 2019 to March 2020, and comprised patients of severe vernal keratoconvinctivtis. Symptoms and clinical signs were graded on a pre-devised scale. Patients were given small amount of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment applied to the inferior conjunctival fornix before going to bed. The duration of treatment was 3 months and the patients were followed up for up to 6 months. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.

Development and validation of a tool for the assessment of benefit from treatment of allergic rhinitis in children and adolescents (PBI-AR-K)

• Research
• Open Access
• 
  

• Toni Maria Janke, 
• Elisabeth Eisner, 
• Matthias Augustin & 
• Christine Blome 

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology volume 18, Article number: 95 (2022) 

• details

Abstract

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is frequent in children and adolescents and can severely affect their lives. This article describes the development and validation of a questionnaire to assess treatment needs and benefits in children and adolescents, the PBI-AR-K, in a sample of patients receiving grass pollen sublingual immunotherapy.

Patients and methods

The PBI-AR-K was developed based on an open survey including children and adolescents and expert consensus between methodologists, patients, and physicians.

Real World Management of Anaphylaxis Versus the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines

Cureus. 2022 Sep; 14(9): e29336.

doi: 10.7759/cureus.29336

Monitoring Editor: Alexander Muacevic and John R Adler

Iman Nasr,1 Asmaa S Mahdi,1 Jalila Al Shekaili,2 Ikram Nasr,3 Humaid Al Wahshi,4 Saad Al Juma,5 Latifa Al Shukeili,6 Ibrahim Al Zakwani,7 and Issa Al Salmi8

Abstract

Objectives 

Anaphylaxis is an acute, life-threatening immediate allergic reaction caused by the sudden systemic release of mediators from mast cells. This study aims to assess the current practice of emergency management of children and adults diagnosed with anaphylaxis at the Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in line with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines. 

Frequency of food allergy in Europe: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Spolidoro GCI, Tesfaye Amera Y, Ali MM, Nyassi S, Lisik D, Ioannidou A, Rovner G, Khaleva E, Venter C, van Ree R, Worm M, Vlieg-Boerstra B, Sheikh A, Muraro A, Roberts G, Nwaru BI. Frequency of food allergy in Europe: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Allergy. 2022 Oct 22. doi: 10.1111/all.15560.

Abstract

Food allergy (FA) is increasingly reported in Europe, however the latest prevalence estimates were based on studies published a decade ago. The present work provides the most updated estimates of the prevalence and trends of FA in Europe. Databases were searched for studies published between 2012 and 2021, added to studies published up to 2012. In total, 110 studies were included in this update. Most studies were graded as moderate risk of bias. Pooled lifetime and point prevalence of self-reported FA were 19.9% (95% CI 16.6-23.3) and 13.1% (95% CI 11.3-14.8), respectively.

Selective IgA deficiency may be an under-recognized risk factor for severe COVID-19

Ameratunga R, Leung E, Woon ST, Lea E, Allan C, Chan L, Steele R, Lehnert K, Longhurst H. Selective IgA deficiency may be an under-recognized risk factor for severe COVID-19. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 Oct 11:S2213-2198(22)01043-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.10.002.

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2, the agent responsible for COVID-19, has caused havoc around the globe. Hundreds of millions of individuals have been infected and well over six million have died from COVID-19. Many COVID-19 survivors have ongoing physical and psychiatric morbidity, which will remain for the rest of their lives.
Early in the pandemic, it became apparent older individuals and those with comorbidities including obesity, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, renal and pulmonary disease were at increased risk of adverse outcomes. It is also clear that some immunodeficient patients, such as those with innate or T cell immune defects are at greater risk from COVID-19.

Effect of diagnosis delay on pulmonary function in children with asthma

• Research
• Open Access
• 
  

• Xiaoling Wei, 
• Min Xue, 
• Jinyan Yan, 
• Yuling Han, 
• Yanqin Liu, 
• Miao Liu, 
• Jing Sun, 
• Yun Zhang, 
• Lu Cheng, 
• Xiang Ma & 
• Zhongtao Gai 

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology volume 18, Article number: 92 (2022) 

• details

Abstract

Background

The effects of a delayed diagnosis of asthma on lung function in children have not been well investigated. Therefore, a retrospective cohort study was conducted in a children’s hospital to analyse the effect of delayed diagnosis time on lung function in children with asthma.

The Future of Telehealth for Allergic Disease

Bajowala SS, Shih J, Varshney P, Elliott T. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 Oct;10(10):2514-2523. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.08.022. 

The COVID-19 pandemic created an explosion in the use of telehealth. However, telehealth consists of much more than a video discussion between doctor and patient. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, allergists have demonstrated a high level of synchronous telemedicine adoption with existing patients but have not taken full advantage of other virtual care modalities that have the potential to facilitate the efficient delivery of allergy care to the broader population.