scholarly journals Aquagenic Urticaria Treated with Omalizumab

2021 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-367
Author(s):  
Ye Jin Ha ◽  
So Yeong Jung ◽  
Seong Geun Lee ◽  
Chan Sun Park

Aquagenic urticaria is a rare form of physical urticaria in which a 1-2 mm wheal is produced by contact with water. Treatment options include antihistamines, ultraviolet monotherapy, topical barrier creams, and acetylcholine antagonists. Despite these pharmacologic measures, the symptoms are frequently refractory to therapy. Aquagenic urticaria lowers the patient’s quality of life and causes daily discomfort. Recently, a patient with aquagenic urticaria treated with omalizumab was reported. Here, we describe a 22-year-old man with a 3-year history of aquagenic urticaria confirmed by a water immersion test. Because he showed no improvement with antihistamines, the patient began omalizumab treatment and demonstrated an excellent response. This case provides new information for clinicians.

Hematology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 (1) ◽  
pp. 314-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Blum

AbstractAdvances in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) over the last decade have given patients and their hematologists a multitude of treatment options. Therapeutic options now exist that reduce disease-related symptoms, improve quality of life, and alter the natural history of the disease. Three drugs are now specifically Food and Drug Administration-approved for treatment of MDS: (1) azacitidine, (2) decitabine, and (3) lenalidomide. Clinical results with each of these agents, plus results with immunosuppressive therapy, are reviewed to guide clinical decision making. Although each therapy has made a substantial impact in improving the care of patients with MDS, unfortunately MDS treatment in 2010 ultimately fails in most patients, but these therapies provide a foundation on which we can build to further improve outcomes.


VASA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Linnemann ◽  
Matthias Erbe

Abstract. The primary goal of therapy is to reduce the frequency and intensity of Raynaud’s attacks and to minimize the related morbidity rather than to cure the underlying condition. Treatment strategies depend on whether Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is primary or secondary. All patients should be instructed about general measures to maintain body warmth and to avoid triggers of RP attacks. Pharmacologic intervention can be useful for patients with severe and frequent RP episodes that impair the patient’s quality of life. Calcium channel blockers are currently the most prescribed and studied medications for this purpose. There has been limited evidence for the efficacy of alpha-1-adrenergic receptor antagonists, angiotensin receptor blockers, topical nitrates or fluoxetine to treat RP. The intravenously administered prostacyclin analogue iloprost can reduce the frequency and severity of RP attacks and is considered a second-line therapy in patients with markedly impaired quality of life, critical digital ischaemia and skin ulcers who are at risk for substantial tissue loss and amputation. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil) can also improve RP symptoms and ulcer healing whereas endothelin-1 receptor antagonists (e.g., bosentan) are mainly considered treatment options in secondary prevention for patients with digital skin ulcers related to systemic sclerosis. However, their use in clinical practice has been limited by their high cost. Antiplatelet therapy with low-dose aspirin is recommended for all patients who suffer from secondary RP due to ischaemia caused by structural vessel damage. Anticoagulant therapy can be considered during the acute phase of digital ischaemia in patients with suspected vascular occlusive disease attributed to the occurrence of new thromboses. In patients with critical digital ischaemia, consideration should be given to hospitalisation, optimisation of medical treatment in accordance with the underlying disease and evaluation for a secondary, possibly reversible process that is causing or aggravating the clinical symptoms.


2020 ◽  
pp. 105566562098133
Author(s):  
Alyssa Fritz ◽  
Diana S. Jodeh ◽  
Fatima Qamar ◽  
James J. Cray ◽  
S. Alex Rottgers

Introduction: Oronasal fistulae following palatoplasty may affect patients’ quality of life by impacting their ability to eat, speak, and maintain oral hygiene. We aimed to quantify the impact of previous oronasal fistula repair on patients’ quality of life using patient-reported outcome psychometric tools. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 8- to 9-year-old patients with cleft palate and/or lip was completed. Patients who had a cleft team clinic between September 2018 and August 2019 were recruited. Participants were divided into 2 groups (no fistula, prior fistula repair). Differences in the individual CLEFT-Q and Child Oral Health Impact Profile-Short Form 19 (COHIP-SF 19) Oral Health scores between the 2 groups were evaluated using a multivariate analysis controlling for Veau classification and syndromic diagnosis. Results: Sixty patients with a history of cleft palate were included. Forty-two (70%) patients had an associated cleft lip. Thirty-two (53.3%) patients had no history of fistula and 28 (46.7%) patients had undergone a fistula repair. CLEFT-Q Dental, Jaw, and Speech Function were all higher in patients without a history of a fistula repair; however, none of these differences were statistically significant. The COHIP-SF 19 Oral Health score demonstrated a significantly lower score in the fistula group, indicating poorer oral health ( P = .05). Conclusions: One would expect that successful repair of a fistula would result in improved function and patient satisfaction, but the consistent trend toward lower CLEFT-Q scores and significantly increased COHIP-SF 19 Oral Health scores in our study group suggests that residual effects linger and that the morbidity of a fistula may not be completely treated with a secondary correction.


Author(s):  
Ludger Klimek ◽  
William E. Berger ◽  
Jean Bousquet ◽  
Paul K. Keith ◽  
Peter Smith ◽  
...  

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is prevalent, and many patients present with moderate-to-severe symptomatic disease. The majority of patients are not satisfied with their AR treatment, despite the use of concurrent medications. These gaps underscore the need for treatment with more effective options for moderate-to-severe AR. The authors’ objective was to review systematically the efficacy and safety of MP-AzeFlu for the treatment of AR. The primary outcomes studied were nasal, ocular, and total symptoms. Other outcomes included time to onset and of AR control, quality of life, and safety. Searches of PubMed and Cochrane databases were conducted on May 14, 2020, with no date restrictions, to identify publications reporting data on MP-AzeFlu. Clinical studies of any phase were included. Studies were excluded if they were not in English, were review articles, did not discuss the safety and efficacy of MP-AzeFlu for AR symptoms. Treatment of AR with MP-AzeFlu results in effective, sustained relief of nasal and ocular symptoms, and faster onset and time to control compared with intranasal azelastine or fluticasone propionate. Long-term use of MP-AzeFlu was safe, with benefits in children, adults, and adults aged ≥65 years. Other treatment options, including fluticasone propionate and azelastine alone or the combination of intranasal corticosteroids and oral antihistamine, do not provide the same level of efficacy as MP-AzeFlu in terms of rapid and sustained relief of the entire AR symptom complex. Furthermore, MP-AzeFlu significantly improves patient quality of life. MP-AzeFlu is a currently available combination that may satisfy all these patient needs and expectations.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Stephanie Paula Elisabeth Guillery ◽  
Rainer Hellweg ◽  
Golo Kronenberg ◽  
Ulrich Bohr ◽  
Hagen Kunte ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Research on quality of life (QoL) of chronically ill patients provides an opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of long-term treatments. Although it is established that opioid replacement therapy is an effective treatment for opioid-dependent patients, there is little knowledge about physical and psychological functioning of QoL for different treatment options. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Altogether, 248 opioid-dependent patients receiving substitution treatment with either methadone/levomethadone (<i>n</i> = 126), diamorphine (<i>n</i> = 85), or buprenorphine (<i>n</i> = 37) were recruited in 6 German therapy centers. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Sociodemographic data were collected. QoL – physical and psychological functioning – for different substitutes was assessed using the <i>Profile of the Quality of Life in the Chronically Ill</i> (PLC) questionnaire. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Patient groups were similar regarding age and duration of opioid dependence. Employment rate was significantly higher (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.005, φ = 0.22) in the buprenorphine group (46%) compared to methadone (18%). Dosage adjustments were more frequent (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, φ = 0.29) in diamorphine (55%) than in methadone (30%) or buprenorphine (19%) patients. Buprenorphine and diamorphine patients rated their physical functioning substantially higher than methadone patients (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.141). Diamorphine patients reported a higher psychological functioning (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.078) and overall life improvement (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.060) compared to methadone, but not compared to buprenorphine patients (both <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.25). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Measurement of important QoL aspects indicates significant differences for physical and psychological functioning in patients receiving the substitutes methadone/levomethadone, diamorphine, and buprenorphine. This could be relevant for the differential therapy of opioid addiction.


Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca V. Steenaard ◽  
Laura A. Michon ◽  
Harm R. Haak

Insight into the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impact of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is important. The disease and its treatment options potentially have an impact on HRQoL. For patients with limited survival, HRQoL research is of utmost importance. We will therefore provide an overview of HRQoL studies in patients with ACC. We found six studies that measured HRQoL in 323 patients with ACC (3 cross-sectional, 1 cohort, 2 trials), all indicating a reduced HRQoL compared to the general population. The FIRMACT trial found that HRQoL of patients with ACC was reduced compared to the general population, and that chemotherapy-mitotane further reduced HRQoL even though survival improved. Clinical aspects of the disease, including cortisol and aldosterone production and adrenal insufficiency have shown great impact on HRQoL in benign disease, even after the recovery of hormonal status. However, the impact of malignant adrenal disease and treatment options on HRQoL including adrenalectomy, radiotherapy, mitotane therapy, and chemotherapy have not been sufficiently studied in patients with ACC. Although the number of HRQoL studies in patients with ACC is limited, the existing literature does indicate that ACC has a large impact on patients’ HRQoL, with disease specific aspects. Further HRQoL research in patients with ACC is essential to improve patient-centered care, preferably by using an ACC-specific HRQoL questionnaire.


2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Herlitz ◽  
Kenneth Caidahl ◽  
Ingela Wiklund ◽  
Helén Sjöland ◽  
Björn Karlson ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P50-P50
Author(s):  
Richard Turley ◽  
Seth M Cohen

Objective 1) Evaluate the prevalence of and quality of life impact of voice and swallowing problems in the elderly. 2) Determine treatment trends and barriers to treatment. Methods Cross-sectional study of independent living residents in 2 retirement communities. Main outcome measures include prevalence of dysphonia and dysphagia, Voice Related Quality of Life (VRQOL), 7-point Likert scale of dysphagia severity, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, and barriers to treatment. Relationship between continuous variables were analyzed with Spearman correlation and between categorical and continuous variables with a t-test. Results 248 residents responded, with a mean age of 82.4 years. 19.8% had dysphonia, 13.7% dysphagia, and 6% both. Respondents with more severe swallowing difficulty had greater impairment on the VRQOL (p = 0.04, Spearman correlation = −0.4). Respondents with both dysphonia and dysphagia had greater depression scores than those with neither symptom (mean CES-D score 15.5 versus 9.9, p = 0.008, t-test). While 75% of respondents with dysphonia were interested in treatment, only 20.4% and 2.1% had sought treatment for dysphonia and dysphagia, respectively. Being unaware of treatment options, and viewing voice and swallowing trouble as a normal part of aging, were the two most common reasons for not seeking treatment. Conclusions Voice and swallowing problems are common in the elderly but they are not realizing potential treatment benefits. Improved health care services for voice and swallowing problems in the elderly are essential.


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