scholarly journals Clinical and immunologic changes due to subcutaneous immunotherapy with cat and dog extracts using an ultrarush up-dosing phase: a real-life study

Author(s):  
SA Uriarte ◽  
H Grönlund ◽  
A Wintersand ◽  
J Bronge ◽  
J Sastre

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of and immunologic changes caused by subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in patients with allergy to cat and dog. Methods: Patients presenting rhinitis and/or asthma with allergy to cat or dog from a previous safety study were included. All had specific IgE to cat and/or dog. Using an infusion pump (IP), SCIT maintenance dose was administered over one 4-hour session, followed by monthly administration over 6 months. Data were gathered on clinical outcomes, pulmonary function, FeNO, rhinitis and asthma symptoms, quality of life (QoL), asthma control test (ACT), and symptom visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline and then at 1, 3, and 6 months. Specific IgE and IgG antibody responses to different cat and dog allergens were determined. Results: Sixty-one patients having a mean age of 35.6 ± 9.7 years were included, 40 of whom underwent cat SCIT. A significant improvement was observed in rhinitis and asthma symptoms and in QoL, use of medication, VAS, and ACT at 1 month; these improvements persisted at month 6. Clinical improvement with cat extract was significantly higher than with dog. An increase of >0.9 in ESPRINT-15 health-related quality of life in allergic rhinitis) was observed in 49.09% of patients, and 58.18% showed an increase of >0.5 in AQLQ(asthma quality of life questionnaire), at month 6, both differences indicating the minimal important difference. A significant increase was observed in specific IgG and IgE to different allergens at 3 and/or 6 months. Conclusions: Ultrarush SCIT with cat and dog extracts has substantial clinical value in many patients.

Allergy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 2542-2544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Baiardini ◽  
Salvatore Fasola ◽  
Marcus Maurer ◽  
Karsten Weller ◽  
Giorgio Walter Canonica ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Santiago Nevot-Falcó ◽  
Eloina Gonzalez Mancebo ◽  
Antonio Martorell ◽  
Cristina Martorell Calatayud ◽  
Sheila Cabrejos Perotti ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> As the number of allergic sensitizations increases the severity of allergic respiratory diseases worsens. Multiple monoallergen immunotherapy can be accompanied by poor treatment adherence and high costs, single multiallergen immunotherapy needs to prove efficacy whilst maintaining a good safety profile. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Observational, retrospective, multicenter study using a 2-pollen single undiluted multiallergen subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in routine clinical practice in Spain. Patients with rhinoconjunctivitis, with/without controlled asthma, sensitized to grass, olive, Parietaria, Cupressus, plane tree and/or Salsola pollen were included. Primary and secondary clinical efficacy endpoints were quality of life (mini Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (miniRQLQ)) and visual analogue scale (VAS) respectively. All adverse events were documented. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Ten centers included 97 patients, median age 32 years. SCIT treatment included combinations of grass mix with olive, Parietaria, Cupressus, plane tree or Salsola or olive with Parietaria, Cupressus or Salsola. The mean duration of SCIT was 1.8 years with a high treatment adherence (73%). Significant improvement in quality of life, nasal and ocular symptoms, activity limitations and practical problems (<i>p</i>&#x3c; 0.0001) and other symptoms (<i>p</i>= 0.024) was observed. Most patients did not develop asthma-like symptoms and a significant improvement of all allergic symptom severity was perceived. VAS showed a significant improvement in rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma by patients and physicians. Twenty-nine patients experienced adverse reactions, 25 had local and 6 had systemic reactions. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Single undiluted multiallergen SCIT treatment of two different pollens is efficacious and safe in both children and adults, showing that it is a suitable option for the treatment of polyallergic patients.


Author(s):  
Betül Özdel Öztürk ◽  
Zeynep Yavuz ◽  
Dilek Eraslan ◽  
Dilşad Mungan ◽  
Yavuz Selim Demirel ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Mepolizumab has been approved as a treatment option for severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) patients in our country. We aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional efficacy of mepolizumab in this group of patients in real life as well as the response rates to mepolizumab and the possible factors affecting the response. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The study was a retrospective chart review of patients with SEA treated with mepolizumab. The data were collected at baseline, and at the 6th and 12th month. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 62 patients (41F/21M) with a mean age of 44.41 ± 13.24 years were included in the study. They had poor symptom control with a mean asthma control test (ACT) score of 16.61 ± 5.59, frequent exacerbations with a mean of 3.4 ± 3.7 in the previous 12 months, and 80.6% required daily oral corticosteroid (OCS) with a median dosage of 8 mg/day as methylprednisolone. The ACT score increased to 22.47 ± 3.18 and 22.03 ± 4.31, respectively, and blood eosinophil count decreased from 1,146/μL to 89/μL and 85/μL at the 6th and 12th month, respectively. The mean FEV1 at baseline was 2.102 L there was an increase of 0.373 L at 6th month and 0.596 L at 12th month. The percentage of regular users of OCS decreased to 66.0% at 6th month with a median dosage of 4 mg and 52.6% at 12th month with a median dosage of 2 mg. Mepolizumab reduced the rate of exacerbations compared with the previous year from a mean of 3.40 to 0.15 at 6th month and 0.36 at 12th month. There was a significant improvement in Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), and Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores at both of time points. The rate of responders and super-responders at 6th month was 60% and 28%, respectively, and consequently, the overall response rate was 88%. At the 12th month, the super-responder rate increased to 44.7% as well as the overall response to 89.4%. The only difference between the nonresponders, responders, and super-responders at the 6th and 12th month was whether regular daily OCS was used pre-mepolizumab. All nonresponders at both 6th and 12th month were using OCS regularly, whereas most of super-responder used the OCS only during exacerbations. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Mepolizumab effectively reduced asthma exacerbations, steroid requirement, blood eosinophil counts and improved asthma control, pulmonary function, sinonasal symptoms and quality of life. Our data suggest that mepolizumab would be effective in selected patients in real-life settings.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Jichao Sha ◽  
Cuida Meng ◽  
Lin Li ◽  
Na Cui ◽  
Qian Xiu ◽  
...  

Background.Allergic rhinitis (AR) significantly impairs the quality of life of the patients; however, a questionnaire alone is an insufficient and subjective measure of this condition. Obtaining an objective clinical assessment of the level of impairment will be valuable for its treatment.β-Endorphin is one of the most important mediators of both mental state and specific immunity. Thus, we investigated the possibility of usingβ-endorphin as a biomarker for evaluating the impairment level in AR.Methods.This study included 48 patients with AR and 32 healthy volunteers. The serumβ-endorphin level was determined by enzyme immunoassay, and the serum-specific IgE and total IgE levels were determined by immunoblot assay. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) was used to assess the impairment level in the symptom duration.Results.Theβ-endorphin concentration was significantly decreased in AR patients compared to the healthy controls (p=0.000,p<0.05). There was significant negative correlation between the impairment level and serumβ-endorphin level (correlation coefficient:-0.468;p=0.001;p<0.05), but there was no association between the serumβ-endorphin and total IgE levels (p=0.947,p>0.05).Conclusion.β-Endorphin is a systemic biomarker that has the potential to assess the impairment level in AR and may therefore be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of AR.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Baiardini ◽  
Giovanni Paoletti ◽  
Alessia Mariani ◽  
Luca Malvezzi ◽  
Francesca Pirola ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: To date, no disease-specific tool is available to assess the impact of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire specifically designed to this aim: the Nasal Polyposis Quality of Life questionnaire –NPQ.METHODS: According to the current guidelines, the development and validation of the NPQ occurred in two separate steps involving different groups of patients.RESULTS: In the development process of NPQ an initial list of items of 40 items was given to 60 patients with CRSwNP; the 27 most significant items were selected and converted into questions. The validation procedure involved 107 patients (mean age 52.9±12.4). NPQ revealed a five-dimensional structure and high levels of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.95). Convergent validity (Spearman’ coefficient r=0.75; p< 0.01), discriminant validity (sensitivity to VAS score), reliability in a sample of patients with a stable health status (Interclass Coefficient 0.882) were satisfactory. Responsiveness to clinical changes was accomplished. The minimal important difference was 7. CONCLUSIONS: NPQ is the first questionnaire for the assessment of HRQoL in CRSwNP. Our results provide that the new tool is valid, reliable, and sensitive to individual changes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 310-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Schwanke ◽  
Eugene Carragee ◽  
Maria Bremberg ◽  
William R. Reisacher

Objective To compare changes in quality of life (QOL) that resulted from sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in a real-world clinical setting. Background SLIT is established as a viable alternative to SCIT for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Although comparative trials are increasingly available, few studies have examined QOL outcomes between these two treatments. Methods One hundred and five participants who underwent immunotherapy for airborne allergies were enrolled in this prospective, single-center study. Forty participants completed the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) at initiation of therapy, after 6 months, and after 1 year of therapy. Only patients with complete time points were included in the ultimate analysis. Twenty-nine of these participants underwent SCIT and 11 underwent SLIT. The effects of age, sex, and asthma history were also examined. Results The participants in both groups demonstrated improvements in QOL regarding allergic rhinoconjunctivitis over the study period. However, the change in the RQLQ score from both baseline to 6 months and baseline to 1 year was only statistically significant in the SCIT group (p = 0.002, 6 months and 1 year). The participants in the SCIT group also demonstrated statistically significant improvement from baseline to 1 year in the specific domains of practical and emotional functioning, nasal symptoms, non-nasal/eye symptoms, and sleep. After 1 year, both SCIT and SLIT demonstrated a minimally important difference from baseline in the overall RQLQ score. Age <35 years in the SCIT group had a significant positive impact on QOL improvement (p = 0.038). Conclusion Although improvements in QOL were noted in both groups, changes in overall scores and the majority of domains only achieved statistical significance in the SCIT group. A small study population and difficulties adhering to immunotherapy dosing schedules in the SLIT group may be contributing factors.


Thorax ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra L Quittner ◽  
Anne E O'Donnell ◽  
Matthias A Salathe ◽  
Sandra A Lewis ◽  
Xiaoming Li ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (32) ◽  
pp. 3921-3930 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Keith Stewart ◽  
Meletios A. Dimopoulos ◽  
Tamás Masszi ◽  
Ivan Špička ◽  
Albert Oriol ◽  
...  

Purpose To determine the effects of carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in the Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone Versus Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Patients With Relapsed Multiple Myeloma (ASPIRE) trial. Methods Patients with relapsed multiple myeloma were randomly assigned to receive KRd or Rd. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and myeloma-specific module were administered at baseline; day 1 of cycles 3, 6, 12, and 18; and after treatment. The Global Health Status/Quality of Life (GHS/QoL) scale and seven subscales (fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, physical functioning, role functioning, disease symptoms, and adverse effects of treatment) were compared between groups using a mixed model for repeated measures. The percentages of responders with ≥ 5- or 15-point GHS/QoL improvement at each cycle were compared between groups. Results Baseline questionnaire compliance was excellent (94.1% of randomly assigned patients). KRd patients had higher GHS/QoL scores versus Rd patients over 18 treatment cycles (two-sided P < .001). The minimal important difference was met at cycle 12 (5.6 points) and approached at cycle 18 (4.8 points). There was no difference between groups for the other prespecified subscales from ASPIRE. A higher proportion of KRd patients met the GHS/QoL responder definition (≥ 5-point improvement) with statistical differences at cycle 12 (KRd v Rd patients, 25.5% v 17.4%, respectively) and 18 (KRd v Rd patients, 24.2% v 12.9%, respectively). Conclusion KRd improves GHS/QoL without negatively affecting patient-reported symptoms when compared with Rd. These data further support the benefit of KRd in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-22
Author(s):  
Judit Barrena Crespo ◽  
Marta Viñas Domingo ◽  
Nora Hernández Arauzo ◽  
M. José Castillo ◽  
M. Belén Delavalle ◽  
...  

Background: Multiple food allergies (MFAs) affect 30% of the child population with food allergy. The current treatment is the exclusion diet, which frequently affects the quality of life for these patients. The objective of the study was to describe the effect of omalizumab treatment in children diagnosed with MFAs who experienced frequent anaphylactic reactions and the impact on their quality of life.Material and methods: A descriptive observational study. Patients with severe food restrictions and high-risk due to multiple episodes of anaphylaxis were included. The allergy was confirmed by compatible clinical, skin tests, positive specific IgE and oral food challenges (OFCs). Omalizumab treatment was initiated and the impact on the life quality of patients and their families was assessed using the validated Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Parent Form.Results: Five patients with an average age at diagnosis of 3.58 years (range between 1.5–7.9 years), were diagnosed with MFAs. All patients presented with anaphylaxis. All patients were treated with omalizumab between 2013 and 2019. Omalizumab treatment was initiated at a mean age of 6.05 years (range between 4.5–8.25 years). All patients have undergone OFC to reintroduce food successfully. 2 patients had their dose of omalizumab reduced by half, and 1 patient has had the time interval extended between administrations due to the maintenance of food tolerance. No immediate local or systemic adverse reactions were documented. Two patients have commenced omalizumab administration at home without incident.Conclusions: Children with MFAs who are treated with omalizumab do not show reactions in response to most of the foods to which they previously had anaphylaxis. Consequently, these patients were able to significantly expand the variety of their diet, improving the life quality and avoid anaphylaxis following the inadvertent intake of these foods.


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