scholarly journals Familial Success in Allergen Desensitization

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 215265671989031
Author(s):  
Marija Rowane ◽  
Ryan Shilian ◽  
Devi K. Jhaveri ◽  
Haig H. Tcheurekdjian ◽  
Theordore H. Sher ◽  
...  

Introduction Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a widely prevalent immunoglobulin E-mediated inflammatory nasal condition resulting from reexposure to an allergen in a sensitized individual. The genetic associations behind AR and other allergic conditions have been studied. However, familial success with AR therapies, specifically allergen desensitization through subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), has never been reported in the literature. Pharmocogenetics has been gradually applied to link heritable genetic variants with drug responses, such as intergenic region variants APOBEC3B and APOBEC3C and β2-adrenergic receptor and glycoprotein ADAM33 polymorphisms as predictive biomarkers for biologic treatment response in asthma. We provide the first reported survey of familial success with SCIT. Methods We administered a month-long, institutional review board-approved (20190493) questionnaire to 200 adult patients receiving SCIT in a suburban allergy/immunology practice. The anonymous survey inquired about demographics, target allergens for their SCIT, current symptom improvement on SCIT, and family history of allergies and SCIT management. Results Twenty-six percent (52 of 200, 26%) SCIT patients reported familial success with the same allergy treatment modality. AR diagnosis and symptom improvement from SCIT was similar among previous/same (18 of 52, 38%; 26 of 52, 54%) and subsequent (10 of 52, 21%; 19 of 52, 40%) generations of family members. A combination of seasonal and perennial allergies was most prevalent (81%) among this population. Conclusion In a subpopulation of SCIT patients, there appears to be a familial success rate with this allergen desensitization treatment. This is the first reported pharmocogenetic evidence of assessing hereditary influence on effective AR therapy. Understanding pharmacogenetic associations involved with SCIT may improve allergists’ recommendations for this treatment option.

2020 ◽  
pp. 000313482096628
Author(s):  
Michael L. Williford ◽  
Katherine T. Fay ◽  
Francis J. Simpson ◽  
Ann M. Defnet ◽  
David M. Schuster ◽  
...  

Background A hyperkinetic gallbladder is defined as a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan ejection fraction (EF) of >80%. This condition is poorly described, and there is no current consensus on optimal management. The intent of this study was to determine if cholecystectomy improves symptoms in patients with a hyperkinetic gallbladder when compared to those managed nonoperatively and if there were variables predictive of symptom improvement with or without cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included patients from 3 academic hospitals in the Atlanta metro area between the years 2006 and 2018. All patients with an EF >80% were included. Following voluntary exclusion patients were contacted by phone. Each patient was administered a questionnaire regarding their surgical history, medical management, and current symptom profile via Otago score. Institutional Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Results 4785 HIDA scans were performed, and 194 reported an EF >80% (incidence 15.7%). 96% of these scans were reported as normal by the radiologist. 68 patients were able to be contacted by phone and completed the questionnaire. 18 patients underwent cholecystectomy, and 89% reported that their symptoms attributed to gallbladder disease were no longer present. 50 patients did not undergo cholecystectomy, and alternate diagnoses, medication prescriptions, diet modification, emergency department visits, and Otago score were higher in this cohort. Discussion Patients who undergo cholecystectomy for a diagnosis of hyperkinetic gallbladder, on average, report improvement in symptoms when compared to patients managed nonoperatively. This study supports the practice of reporting and managing hyperkinetic gallbladders as a pathologic entity.


Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (14 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S18.1-S18
Author(s):  
Jillian O’Neil ◽  
Sean Rose ◽  
Ashley Davidson ◽  
Kathleen Shiplett ◽  
Anthony Castillo ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary treatment approach for adolescents experiencing prolonged recovery from concussion.BackgroundAlthough most youth recover from a concussion within 2–4 weeks, an estimated 14% of those injured remain symptomatic at 3 months post-injury. For those experiencing protracted recovery, the 2017 Berlin Concussion in Sport Group Consensus Statement recommends multidisciplinary collaborative care. While recent research utilizing progressive aerobic exercise among adolescents with concussion has shown promise for reduction in symptom burden, limited evidence exists for multidisciplinary care.Design/MethodsParticipants included 39 adolescents (77% female, 87% Caucasian) referred to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Complex Concussion Clinic. All patients included had persistent (≥30 days post-injury) post-concussion symptoms (SCAT-5 symptom score ≥10). The sample ranged in age from 11-20 years (mean = 15.0, SD = 2.0) and median days since injury was 60 (range = 30–161). 31% of participants had a history of one or more previous concussions, 54% had a history of anxiety or depression, and 26% had a history of ADHD or a learning disorder. The multidisciplinary treatment included sessions with Neurology (mean number of sessions = 2.5), Neuropsychology (mean = 2.1), Physical Therapy (mean = 3.6), and Athletic Training sessions involving graded physical exercise (mean = 4.0), with an average treatment duration of 57.4 days. SCAT-5 symptom rating scales were completed at each visit.ResultsSymptom burden among participants significantly decreased between their initial visit (mean = 49.6, SD = 19.2) and final exercise session (mean = 12.8, SD = 14.1); p < 0.001. Gender did not predict symptom ratings at treatment onset, though males (mean = 5.6) had significantly lower symptom scores than females (mean = 15.0) at their final visit (p < 0.05). Demographic factors and premorbid psychological history did not predict rate of symptom improvement.ConclusionsHigh rates of premorbid psychological problems are evident in children referred for treatment of PCS. Multidisciplinary care involving graded aerobic exercise and psychological intervention shows promise, though specific factors associated with treatment response remain to be elucidated.


Author(s):  
Chia-Ming Lu ◽  
Jin-Shiung Cheng ◽  
Wei-Chih Sun ◽  
Wen-Chi Chen ◽  
Feng-Woei Tsay ◽  
...  

Spontaneous severe acute exacerbation (SAE) is not uncommon in the natural history of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Lamivudine (LAM) had the advantages of low price, quick onset, good efficacy and no drug resistance within 24 weeks. This study aimed to compare the short-term efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and LAM for 24 weeks followed by TDF in the treatment of CHB with severe acute exacerbation. Consecutive patients of CHB with SAE were randomized to receive either TDF (19 patients) or LAM for 24 weeks followed by TDF (18 patients). The primary endpoint was overall mortality or receipt of liver transplantation by week 24. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital (VGHKS12-CT5-10). The baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. By week 24, seven (37%) and five (28%) patients in the TDF and LAM/TDF groups died or received liver transplantation (P=0.487). Multivariate analysis showed that albumin level, prothrombin time (PT), and hepatic encephalopathy were independent factors associated with mortality or liver transplantation by week 24. Early reductions in HBV DNA of more than or equal to 2 log at 1 and 2 weeks were similar between the two groups. The biochemical and virological responses at 12, 24 and 48 weeks were also similar between the two groups. TDF and LAM for 24 weeks followed by TDF achieved a similar clinical outcome in CHB patients with SAE.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 895-901
Author(s):  
Anne L. Wright ◽  
Catharine J. Holberg ◽  
Marilyn Halonen ◽  
Fernando D. Martinez ◽  
Wayne Morgan ◽  
...  

Objective. To investigate the natural history of and risk factors for allergic rhinitis in the first 6 years of life. Methods. Parents of 747 healthy children followed from birth completed a questionnaire when the child was 6 years old. Data were obtained regarding physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis (PDAR), associated symptoms, and age at onset. Risk-factor data were taken from earlier questionnaires, and data regarding immunoglobulin E (IgE) and skin-test reactivity were obtained at age 6. Results. By the age of 6, 42% of children had PDAR. Children whose rhinitis began in the first year of life had more respiratory symptoms at age 6 and were more likely to have a diagnosis of asthma. Early introduction of foods or formula, heavy maternal cigarette smoking in the first year of life, and higher IgE, as well as parental allergic disorders, were associated with early development of rhinitis. Risk factors for PDAR that remained significant in a multivanate model included maternal history of physician-diagnosed allergy (odds ratio: 2.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.35-3.54), asthma in the child (4.06, 2.06-7.99), and IgE greater than 100 IU/mL at age 6 (1.93, 1.18-3.17). The odds for atopic as opposed to nonatopic PDAR were significantly higher only among those with high IgE and those who had dogs. Conclusion. Allergic rhinitis developing in the first years of life is an early manifestation of an atopic predisposition, which may be triggered by early environmental exposures.


Author(s):  
Aaron R. Dezube ◽  
Jake Rauh ◽  
Michael Dezube ◽  
Mark Iafrati ◽  
JoAnn Rigo ◽  
...  

AbstractRestless leg syndrome (RLS) is a common cause of lower extremity discomfort. We hypothesized that patients with RLS symptoms have higher rates of deep and superficial venous reflux (SVR). Retrospective review of patients ≥18 years of age evaluated in a venous center from December 2018 to February 2019. Differences in rates of RLS symptoms, demographics, comorbidities, and clinical and radiologic presence of venous disease were analyzed. Overall, 207 patients were analyzed; 140 (67.6%) reported RLS symptoms (n = 25 with prior RLS diagnosis). RLS symptoms were more common with superficial or combined superficial and deep venous reflux (DVR) compared with those without reflux (p < 0.001). Patients with RLS symptoms as opposed to those without had similar demographics and comorbidities (all p > 0.05) but increased rates of venous pain, phlebitis, family history of venous disease, lower extremity swelling and SVR, and combined SVR and DVR (all p < 0.05). Our multivariable logistic regression found presence of SVR, and family history of venous reflux was associated with RLS symptomatology (all p < 0.001). Ninety-nine patients with RLS underwent ablation; of them, 93 had duplex-proven reflux resolution of which 81 (87%) reported RLS symptom improvement. This included 13 of 16 (81.3%) with prior RLS diagnosis. SVR is associated with increased rates of RLS symptoms in a vein center population. Therefore, RLS symptoms should trigger a targeted venous evaluation. Our results suggest that venous ablation may lead to resolution of RLS symptoms in patients with SVR, but randomized prospective trials with strict RLS definition criteria are warranted to confirm these outcomes.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehud Lebel ◽  
Yuri Mishukov ◽  
Liana Babchenko ◽  
Arnon Samueloff ◽  
Ari Zimran ◽  
...  

Changes of bone during pregnancy and during lactation evaluated by bone mineral density (BMD) may have implications for risk of osteoporosis and fractures. We studied BMD in women of differing ages, parity, and lactation histories immediately postpartum for BMD,T-scores, andZ-scores. Institutional Review Board approval was received. All women while still in hospital postpartum were asked to participate. BMD was performed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) machine at femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) by a single technician. Of 132 participants, 73 (55.3%) were ≤30 years; 27 (20.5%) were primiparous; 36 (27.3%) were grand multiparous; 35 (26.5%) never breast fed. Mean FNT-scores andZ-scores were higher than respective mean LS scores, but all means were within the normal limits. Mean LST-scores andZ-scores were highest in the grand multiparas. There were only 2 (1.5%) outliers with lowZ-scores. We conclude that, in a large cohort of Israeli women with BMD parameters assessed by DXA within two days postpartum, meanT-scores andZ-scores at both the LS and FN were within normal limits regardless of age (20–46 years), parity (1–13 viable births), and history of either no or prolonged months of lactation (up to 11.25 years).


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-37
Author(s):  
S. Dermendzhiev ◽  
A. Dzhambov ◽  
T. Dermendzhiev

AbstractWe present a case of a 29-year-old Bulgarian woman with autoimmune thyroiditis and recurrent angioedema. The patient presented with a one-year-long history of recurrent angioedema and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Physical examination showed oedema surrounded by erythema on the forearms, and erythematous, itchy plaques spreading over her face, neck, chest, abdomen, and extremities. Blood tests showed elevated total immunoglobulin E (IgE). The patient had been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hypothyroidism. She had been taking levothyroxine 50 μg/d, resulting in a good hormonal control; however, her anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies were high. She was started on methylprednisolone and antihistamines. In three weeks, we observed a good therapeutic response to the treatment and the lesions remitted. IgE dropped within normal range. Levels of anti-TPO antibodies were persistently high. In conclusion, patients with angioedema should be tested for thyroid autoimmunity. Further delve into the pathogenesis of angioedema in them is warranted in order to explore the possibility of an underlying atopy in those not responding to the standard treatment with levothyroxine.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596711668677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor R. Carlson ◽  
Barry P. Boden ◽  
Aricia Shen ◽  
Jennifer N. Jackson ◽  
Katharine E. Alter ◽  
...  

Background: Patellofemoral pain is one of the most common conditions seen in sports medicine practices, particularly among adolescent females. However, the natural history of the underlying pathology in patellofemoral pain during puberty remains poorly understood. Purpose: The purpose of this longitudinal study is to assess changes in patellar maltracking patterns in subjects with patellofemoral pain as they mature from mid- to late adolescence. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Three-dimensional patellofemoral kinematic data were acquired during active knee extension-flexion using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in 6 girls (10 knees; mean age, 14.0 years) with clinically diagnosed patellofemoral pain. The subjects then returned as late adolescents (mean age, 18.5 years) for follow-up scanning. Three-dimensional patellofemoral kinematic parameters were evaluated across the range of motion, but comparison between time points was restricted to 10° of flexion. Participation in impact and nonimpact physical activities, pain score based on the visual analog scale, and the anterior knee pain score were also compared across initial and follow-up visits. Results: All subjects reported improved patellofemoral pain symptoms at follow-up, and one subject reported complete resolution. However, relative to the initial visit, no differences were found in patellar maltracking. There was a decrease in hours engaged in impact physical activities for all subjects at follow-up. Conclusion: This study provides insight into the natural history of patellofemoral pain in adolescent females. The relatively unchanged patellofemoral maltracking across subjects suggests that potential anatomic and kinematic abnormalities contributing to patellofemoral pain during mid-adolescence persist during skeletal maturation. Symptom improvement for these subjects did not result from a change in patellofemoral tracking, but rather from other causes.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-329
Author(s):  
James E. Gern

RSV bronchiolitis was the most important risk factor for the development of asthma and allergen-specific IgE, although a family history of atopy or asthma further increased the risk.


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