Allergic Rhinitis: Natural History. A Twenty Years Follow up Study

Although there is an agreement on the increase of the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in last decades, data emerging from various studies appear to be widely dishomogeneous. Another point that needs a clarification is the relationship between allergic rhinitis and lower airways pathologies such as asthma or bronchitis. In this study, we followed the evolution of allergic rhinitis in a group of patients in the last 20 years to highlight the efficacy of different treatments in the prevention of complications, specifically asthma. Patients who didn't receive any kind of treatment experimented a remission of symptoms in 4 cases, a stability of the disease in 6 and the development of complications in 11. In the group treated with symptomatic drugs we highlighted a recovery in 11 patients, a stability of symptoms in 2 and complications in 2. At last, patients undergone immunotherapy considered their symptoms improved in 60 % and stable in 40 % of cases. In conclusion, Immunotherapy guarantees, in a large number of patients, remission of local symptoms and valid protection against district and bronchial complications. Symptomatic treatment with antihistamines and/or cortisones represents a valid alternative, and it's always to be preferred to abstention from any treatment.

Download Full-text

Progression or Not – A Small Natural History Study of Genetical Confirmed Congenital Myopathies

Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases ◽

10.3233/jnd-200574 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Ulla Werlauff ◽

Pernille Diemer Hansen ◽

Nanna Witting ◽

John Vissing

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Natural History ◽

Gene Mutations ◽

Initial Study ◽

Congenital Myopathies ◽

Course Of Disease ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Sum Score

Background: Clinical characteristics of patients with congenital myopathies (CM) are well known but there is a lack of knowledge about the natural history and course of disease of the different genetic subtypes. in 2010 we assessed the national cohort of Danish patients with CM to decide genetic diagnosing and describe genotype- phenotype relationships. AIM of this follow-up study was to evaluate the course of disease since the initial study and to evaluate the applicability of standard assessment methods to reflect change over time and patients own opinion on the course of disease. Methods: All available genetically diagnosed patients studied by us in 2010 (n = 41) were invited to the follow-up study; assessment of motor function (MFM-32), muscle strength (MRC %)and respiratory function (FVC %) and prime assessor were the same as in the initial study. Patients were asked whether the course of disease had progresses, was stable or had improved. Results: 23 patients (15–61 y) accepted the invitation. Mean follow-up time was 7.7 years. Loss of muscle strength was more prominent in patients with mutations in DNM2, RYR1 and TPM2/3 genes and deterioration in FVC % was more evident in patients carrying NEB and ACTA1 gene mutations. MFM-sum score was less sensitive to change compared to MRC-sum score. In general, agreement between the patient’s own opinion of the course of disease and results of assessments was good. Conclusion: The number of patients in the study is too small to be conclusive, but the results indicate that CM can be stable or slowly progressive depending on the genetic subtype.

Download Full-text

Current Recommendations on the Management of Pediatric Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis during the COVID-19 Pandemic versus Real-Life Practice

International Archives of Allergy and Immunology ◽

10.1159/000521117 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Pinar Gokmirza Ozdemir ◽

Velat Celik

Keyword(s):

Allergic Rhinitis ◽

Online Survey ◽

Real Life ◽

Pediatric Asthma ◽

Family Physicians ◽

Treatment Compliance ◽

Asthma Attack ◽

Asthma Patients ◽

The Relationship

Introduction: Several statements and position papers on the management of childhood asthma and allergies during the COVID-19 pandemic have been published of late. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of pediatricians and family physicians regarding the management of asthma and allergic rhinitis during the pandemic according to recently published updated guidelines. Method: We conducted an online survey among pediatricians and family physicians in Turkey, using a questionnaire designed to evaluate 4 items: (1) the relationship between COVID-19 infection risk and pediatric asthma/allergic rhinitis and medications used in treatment; (2) the follow-up and management of asthma/allergic rhinitis according to published updated recommendations; (3) pediatricians’ and family physicians’ observations and perceptions of treatment compliance and the attitudes of their pediatric asthma patients; and (4) pediatricians and family physicians’ attitudes to using telehealth in the follow-up and management of pediatric asthma patients during the pandemic. Results: A total of 346 participants responded to the survey. The relationship between the risk of COVID-19 and asthma was known by less than 25% of the participants. More than 33% of family physicians and 20% of pediatricians were unaware that asthma medication does not lead to a susceptibility to COVID-19 infection; 55% of family physicians and 48% of pediatricians thought that patients showed better compliance with asthma controller medication; over 33% of pediatricians and approximately 50% of family physicians stated that they could not distinguish between an asthma attack and lung involvement in COVID-19 infection; of the respondents, over 75% stated that they prefer face-to-face visits with patients, even in situations that do not require a physical examination. Conclusion: The overall knowledge and awareness of pediatricians and, especially, family physicians regarding the management of pediatric asthma/allergic rhinitis during the pandemic is not at a satisfactory level. There is an urgent need to inform them about updated recommendations appearing in recent guidelines published by allergy organizations.

Download Full-text

The natural history of pituitary apoplexy: long term follow-up study

Endocrine Abstracts ◽

10.1530/endoabs.65.p301 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Ayesha Shaikh ◽

Natasha Shrikrishnapalasuriyar ◽

Giselle Sharaf ◽

David Price ◽

Maneesh Udiawar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Pituitary Apoplexy ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

History Of

Download Full-text

Serum biomarkers confirming stable remission in inflammatory bowel disease

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-86251-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Christoph Kessel ◽

Miha Lavric ◽

Toni Weinhage ◽

Markus Brueckner ◽

Sytze de Roock ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Control ◽

Serum Biomarkers ◽

Treat To Target ◽

Optimal Management ◽

Tight Control ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Bowel Diseases ◽

Inflammatory Bowel

AbstractCrohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) have a chronic-remittent course. Optimal management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) relies on early intervention, treat-to-target strategies and a tight disease control. However, it is challenging to assess the risk of relapses in individual patients. We investigated blood-based biomarkers for the confirmation of disease remission in patients with IBD. We retrospectively analyzed samples of 40 IBD patients (30 UC, 10 CD) enrolled in a tight-control follow-up study. Half of the patients had a flare during follow up. Serum was analyzed for S100A12 as well as S100A8/A9 and for 50 further biomarkers in a bead-based multiplex assay. The concentrations of 9 cytokines/chemokines and S100A8/A9 significantly differed in IBD patients with unstable remission (before flares) when compared to IBD patients with stable remission. Although the number of patients was small, ROC curve analyses revealed a number of biomarkers (IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-8, IL13, IL-15, IL-21, IL-25, IFN-β, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, Galectin-1, G-CSF and S100A8/A9) that were elevated in patients with later occurring relapses. While earlier studies on peripheral biomarkers in IBD are limited to only few analytes, our study using a broad screening approach identified serum biomarkers with the potential to indicate unstable disease control in IBD, which may help to steer individual therapies to maintain remission.

Download Full-text

HGG-47. DECREASED GROWTH VELOCITY WITH LONG TERM USE OF BRAFV600e AND MEK INHIBITION IN A PATIENT WITH ANAPLASTIC GANGLIOGLIOMA

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noaa222.327 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. iii352-iii352

Author(s):

Hung Tran ◽

Robert Cooper

Keyword(s):

Growth Velocity ◽

Direct Result ◽

Chromosomal Microarray ◽

Mek Inhibition ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

The Family ◽

The Relationship

Abstract PURPOSE To describe decreased growth velocity with long term use of BRAFV600e and MEK inhibition in a patient with anaplastic ganglioglioma. RESULTS 4-year-old patient was found to have a 6 x 4.6 x 5 cm mass in the hypothalamus. Pathology consistent with anaplastic ganglioglioma and chromosomal microarray revealed a BRAFV600e mutation. Patient started on dabrafenib and trametinib and tumor decreased 85% after 3 months. She is stable without significant toxicities 39 months on therapy, and is now 8 years old. Patient had been growing at the 25% for weight and 12% for height but is now 65% for weight and 0.5% for height. It is difficult to tease out the relationship between the tumor, the location of the tumor, and the BRAF and MEK inhibitors and their effect on growth. Discussions with the family and endocrinology are ongoing but being <1% for height will lead to decrease in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS Further follow-up study is needed to determine if this is truly a long-term toxicity, or if this may just be a direct result of the location of the tumor. Would supplementation with growth hormone in this patient lead to losing control of a high grade tumor, or would it simply replace a hormone that is not produced?

Download Full-text