Tele-Monitoring Applications in Respiratory Allergy

Aggelidis X, Kritikou M, Makris M, Miligkos M, Papapostolou N, Papadopoulos NG, Xepapadaki P. J Clin Med. 2024 Feb 4;13(3):898. doi: 10.3390/jcm13030898.

Abstract

Respiratory allergic diseases affect over 500 million people globally and pose a substantial burden in terms of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Restrictive factors such as geographical disparities, infectious pandemics, limitations in resources, and shortages of allergy specialists in underserved areas impede effective management. Telemedicine encompasses real-time visits, store-and-forward option triage, and computer-based technologies for establishing efficient doctor-patient communication. Recent advances in digital technology, including designated applications, informative materials, digital examination devices, wearables, digital inhalers, and integrated platforms, facilitate personalized and evidence-based care delivery. 

Cross-sectional analysis of financial relationships between board certified allergists and the pharmaceutical industry in Japan

Murayama, A., Senoo, Y. BMC Med Ethics 25, 22 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-024-01014-2

Abstract

Background

Financial interactions between pharmaceutical companies and physicians lead to conflicts of interest. This study examines the extent and trends of non-research payments made by pharmaceutical companies to board-certified allergists in Japan between 2016 and 2020.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of disclosed payment data from pharmaceutical companies affiliated with the Japanese Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association was conducted. The study focused on non-research payments for lecturing, consulting, and manuscript drafting made to board-certified allergists from 2016 to 2020. We performed descriptive analyses on payment data. Trends were analyzed using generalized estimating equation models.

Personalized Medicine in Severe Asthma: From Biomarkers to Biologics

Chen CY, Wu KH, Guo BC, Lin WY, Chang YJ, Wei CW, Lin MJ, Wu HP.  Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Dec 22;25(1):182. doi: 10.3390/ijms25010182. 

Abstract

Severe asthma is a complex and heterogeneous clinical condition presented as chronic inflammation of the airways. Conventional treatments are mainly focused on symptom control; however, there has been a shift towards personalized medicine. Identification of different phenotypes driven by complex pathobiological mechanisms (endotypes), especially those driven by type-2 (T2) inflammation, has led to improved treatment outcomes. Combining biomarkers with T2-targeting monoclonal antibodies is crucial for developing personalized treatment strategies. Several biological agents, including anti-immunoglobulin E, anti-interleukin-5, and anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin/interleukin-4, have been approved for the treatment of severe asthma.

FDA-approved biological therapies for severe asthma based on indication and age.

These biological therapies have demonstrated efficacy in reducing asthma exacerbations, lowering eosinophil count, improving lung function, diminishing oral corticosteroid use, and improving the quality of life in selected patients. Severe asthma management is undergoing a profound transformation with the introduction of ongoing and future biological therapies. The availability of novel treatment options has facilitated the adoption of phenotype/endotype-specific approaches and disappearance of generic interventions.

A clinical trial investigating if antibacterial therapeutic clothing could improve atopic dermatitis

Aviël Ragamin, Renske Schappin, Marlies de Graaf, Ron A Tupker, Karin B Fieten, Minke M F van Mierlo, Madelon B Bronner, Geertruida L E Romeijn, Manon M Sloot, Celeste M Boesjes, Lisa P van der Rijst, Bernd W M Arents, Thomas Rustemeyer, Marie L A Schuttelaar, Suzanne G M A Pasmans. British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 190, Issue 3, March 2024, Page e29, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljae024

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as eczema, is a common skin condition that affects up to 20% of children and 10% of adults. Previous research has suggested that a common type of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, may worsen AD.

In this study, we investigated if wearing special antibacterial therapeutic clothing could improve AD by reducing Staphylococcus aureus.

This study included 159 children and adults with moderate-to-severe AD in the Netherlands. Participants received standard therapeutic clothing or antibacterial therapeutic clothing based on either chitosan (an antibacterial protein obtained from the shells of crustaceans) or silver, along with basic AD treatment (i.e. steroid ointment). We considered the antibacterial therapeutic clothing to be successful if people had considerably fewer clinical signs of AD compared with using standard therapeutic clothing over the course of 1 year.

Influence of light at night on allergic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Deprato, A., Maidstone, R., Cros, A.P. et al.  BMC Med 22, 67 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03291-5

Abstract

Background

Allergic diseases impose a significant global disease burden, however, the influence of light at night exposure on these diseases in humans has not been comprehensively assessed. We aimed to summarize available evidence considering the association between light at night exposure and major allergic diseases through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

We completed a search of six databases, two registries, and Google Scholar from inception until December 15, 2023, and included studies that investigated the influence of artificial light at night (ALAN, high vs. low exposure), chronotype (evening vs. morning chronotype), or shift work (night vs. day shift work) on allergic disease outcomes (asthma, allergic rhinitis, and skin allergies). We performed inverse-variance random-effects meta-analyses to examine the association between the exposures (ALAN exposure, chronotype, or shiftwork) and these allergic outcomes. Stratification analyses were conducted by exposure type, disease type, participant age, and geographical location along with sensitivity analyses to assess publication bias.

Results

Association between light at night exposure and the odds
of allergic diseases stratified by exposure type.

We included 12 publications in our review. We found that exposure to light at night was associated with higher odds of allergic diseases, with the strongest association observed for ALAN exposure (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.04 to 3.39), followed by evening chronotype (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.87) and exposure to night shift work (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.67).

Food allergy outside the eight big foods in Europe: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Spolidoro GCI, Nyassi S, Lisik D, et al. Clin Transl Allergy. 2024;e12338. https://doi.org/10.1002/clt2.12338

Abstract

Background

The 2014 estimates of prevalence of food allergy (FA) in Europe published by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology included only the eight so-called big foods (cow's milk/egg/wheat/soy/peanut/tree nuts/fish/shellfish). Those estimates have recently been updated. Complementing this, we sought to identify and estimate the prevalence of allergy to other foods that have been reported during the last decade.

Methods

Six databases were searched for studies published 2012–2021. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to derive pooled prevalence of allergy to each food.

EAACI UpToDate: Understanding and managing T2 Diseases - Free Access

Dear colleagues,

It's time to take action. Learn about type 2 (T2) inflammation so you can have better conversations with your patients about the root cause of their disease.

EAACI has developed an in-depth, interactive e-learning resource aimed at improving the diagnosis and management of T2 diseases as long-term conditions for children and adults.

We are happy to share with you 3 educational modules where top-level experts deliver outstanding lectures on different aspects of T2 diseases including clinical case studies, instrumental to better understand the disease and implement their teachings within your clinical practice. Do not miss the interactive Q&A sessions to get all the answers you need.

The effectiveness and pharmacoeconomic study of using different corticosteroids in the treatment of hypersensitivity pneumonitis

• Research
• Open access
• 
  

Marwa G. Elhennawy, 

Yosri Akl, 

Maggie Abbassi & 

Nirmeen A. Sabry 

BMC Pulmonary Medicine volume 24, Article number: 87 (2024) 

• details

Abstract

Purpose

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are caused by inflammation and/or fibrosis of alveolar walls resulting in impaired gas exchange. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is the third most common type of ILDs. Corticosteroids are the mainstay treatment for HP. The use of intramuscular (IM) betamethasone or intravenous (IV) dexamethasone as weekly pulse doses has shown higher benefit than daily oral prednisolone for HP patients. The aim of this study is to directly compare different corticosteroids in terms of effectiveness and in monetary values and perform an economic evaluation.

Methods

One hundred and seven patients were tested for pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and inflammatory markers to assess the treatment effectiveness.