scholarly journals Update on Clinical Options for the Management of Allergic Rhinitis

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. CMT.S6375
Author(s):  
Mohsen Nasir ◽  
J. Andrew Grant

Allergic rhinitis is a common, chronic medical condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Uncontrolled disease has been associated with impairments in quality of life and decreased economic productivity. Proper identification and control of relevant co-morbid conditions is essential for optimal rhinitis control. Management of allergic rhinitis includes identification of relevant allergens, education on avoidance measures, medications and immunotherapy. First-line therapy includes the use on an intranasal steroid. Other treatment options include oral or intranasal antihistamines, decongestants, leukotriene receptor antagonists, mast cell stabilizers or anticholinergic agents. Immunotherapy is an effective treatment option for refractory disease.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameer Kakaje ◽  
Mohammad Marwan Alhalabi ◽  
Ayham Alyousbashi ◽  
Aya Hamid ◽  
Osama Hosam Aldeen

Background. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global disease that affects a huge proportion of people around the world especially in the Middle East, where multiple allergy-promoting factors can be found. Although AR is not fatal, it severely affects the quality of life. However, it is usually overlooked in developing countries due to resource scarcity. Methods. An online questionnaire on social media was used which included demographics, smoking, socioeconomic-status (SES), war-related questions, and the score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR), a simple self-reporting tool with the cut-off point at 7. Findings. This study included 968 subjects with 721 (74.5%) females. The mean age was 24.69 years with AR prevalence at 47.9%. AR was associated with male gender [P=0.001 (OR, 1.677; 95% CI 1.249-2.253)], having a job [P=0.049 (OR, 1.309; 95% CI 1.001-1.713)], the having a chronic medical condition (P<0.0001) mainly other allergies [P<0.0001 (OR, 9.199; 95% CI 3.836-22.063)] and asthma [P=0.006 (OR, 5.060; 95% CI 1.396-18.342)], using medications (P<0.0001) and living in particular provinces (P=0.010). However, no significant correlation was found with type of work and war factors except being distressed by war sounds [P=0.027 (OR, 1.348; 95% CI 1.034-1.757)]. Finally, no associations were found with age, consanguinity, SES, educational level, and cigarette or/and shisha smoking (P>0.05). Interpretation. Approximately half of the sample displayed AR symptoms, indicating a potentially high burden of AR in the community. A correlation to being distressed from war noises was found with AR which could reflect a psychological aspect. In addition, in war harmful allergens are released which can be an additional AR risk factor which adds to the environment in the Middle East that is associated with AR. However, we need further studies to discover and minimize this huge prevalence of AR.


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 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonya Marcus

Allergic rhinitis is a common condition that affects 10-40% of adults in the United States annually. It has a significant impact on patient quality of life and poses a substantial economic burden on society. Knowledge regarding accurate diagnosis, testing and treatment options are important in the management of this prevalent condition. Treatment options include allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy and allergy immunotherapy. This review contains 7 figures, 6 tables and 28 references. Key words: allergic rhinitis, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, intranasal corticosteroids, antihistamines, skin prick allergy testing, intradermal allergy testing, subcutaneous immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy, anaphylaxis


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. CMRH.S14498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Wysocki ◽  
Sheryl Kingsberg ◽  
Michael Krychman

Vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA) is a chronic and progressive medical condition common in postmenopausal women. Symptoms of VVA such as dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, irritation, and itching can negatively impact sexual function and quality of life. The REVIVE (REal Women's Views of Treatment Options for Menopausal Vaginal ChangEs) survey assessed knowledge about VVA and recorded attitudes about interactions with healthcare providers (HCPs) and available treatment options for VVA. The REVIVE survey identified unmet needs of women with VVA symptoms such as poor understanding of the condition, poor communication with HCPs despite the presence of vaginal symptoms, and concerns about the safety, convenience, and efficacy of available VVA treatments. HCPs can address these unmet needs by proactively identifying patients with VVA and educating them about the condition as well as discussing treatment preferences and available therapies for VVA.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvin Y Tabata ◽  
Philip Coppenhaver ◽  
Shirley McCartney ◽  
Saman Vazinkhoo ◽  
Terry Copperman

Abstract BackgroundCurrent therapies for migraine have proven partially effective, highlighting the need for alternative treatment options. In this report, the authors conducted a single arm pilot exploratory study to evaluate the effect of Kiatsu with Ki training in adult females with episodic migraine.MethodsStudy subjects established a baseline migraine frequency over 4 weeks. During the following 4 weeks, each subject received instruction in Ki training (to improve concentration, balance, and relaxation), accompanied by Kiatsu (a focused touch method that reduces tension, swelling, and pain). Subjects then participated in one session a month for an additional 6 months. The initial session was 1 hour; subsequent sessions averaged 30 minutes. Subjects documented migraine frequency, migraine-specific quality of life scores, and medication use.ResultSixty-nine subjects met the study inclusion criteria and 21 completed the study. Subjects reported a significant reduction in migraine frequency after 1 month (from 7.2 to 3.8 migraines/month; p < 0.05), with an overall 53% reduction at 8 months (p < 0.001). Significant improvements in quality of life (QoL) were reported after 1 month, with continued improvements until study completion (p < 0.0001). A moderate reduction in medication use was also documented (p < 0.03), corresponding with improved QoL scores.ConclusionKiatsu with Ki training may be an effective treatment option for females with migraines, either in combination with medications or as a potential alternative to medications for patients who do not benefit from conventional therapies.


2019 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2019-001823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Ainscough ◽  
Lorna Fraser ◽  
Joanna Taylor ◽  
Bryony Beresford ◽  
Alison Booth

ObjectivesThis systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of bereavement support interventions (BSIs) for parents of an infant or a child who has died from a medical condition or in unforeseen circumstances.MethodsA systematic search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase and CINAHL (1980 to January 2018) was performed to identify studies investigating BSIs for the parents of children who died between the ages of 24 weeks gestation and 30 years. Due to significant clinical and methodological heterogeneity between studies, a narrative synthesis was performed.ResultsThe database searches returned 24 550 records, with a further 6 identified through other sources. Of these, eight studies, reported in nine papers, met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in the USA (n=5) and in perinatal/neonatal deaths (n=6). Five of the included studies were randomised controlled trials and three were non-randomised comparative studies. Interventions were delivered to groups, individuals or families. Outcomes of interest were grief, mental health, physical health and ‘others’. There were major concerns over the quality of study methods and reporting. Only three of the nine studies reported a significant difference between experimental and control arm participants in any outcomes, despite a total of 23 outcomes being measured.ConclusionsPoor methodology and reporting of the few studies which have assessed BSIs for parents limit any conclusions on their effectiveness. Agreement on core outcomes and more robust study methodology are required in this neglected area of research.


2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 1684-1696 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Maspero ◽  
B. W. Lee ◽  
C. H. Katelaris ◽  
P. C. Potter ◽  
C. Cingi ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
V. Leanza ◽  
S. Dati ◽  
A.A. Cavallaro ◽  
M. Bologna

The primary symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) include urinary urgency and frequency, with or without urge incontinence. OAB is urodynamically characterised by involuntary contractions of the detrusor muscles of the bladder. Despite the growing awareness of OAB as a chronic medical condition, little is known about the disease&rsquo;s economic burden. Urodynamic diagnoses of detrusor overactivity, mixed incontinence, and stress incontinence with OAB are associated with significantly worse incontinence related bother and health related quality of life (QL) compared to those with stress incontinence without OAB [1,2,3].


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideyuki Kawauchi ◽  
Kazuhiko Yanai ◽  
De-Yun Wang ◽  
Koju Itahashi ◽  
Kimihiro Okubo

Antihistamines targeting the histamine H1 receptor play an important role in improving and maintaining the quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis. For more effective and safer use of second-generation drugs, which are recommended by various guidelines, a classification based on their detailed characteristics is necessary. Antihistamines for first-line therapy should not have central depressant/sedative activities. Sedative properties (drowsiness and impaired performance) are associated with the inhibition of central histamine neurons. Brain H1 receptor occupancy (H1RO) is a useful index shown to be correlated with indices based on clinical findings. Antihistamines are classified into non-sedating (<20%), less-sedating (20–50%), and sedating (≥50%) groups based on H1RO. Among the non-sedating group, fexofenadine and bilastine are classified into “non-brain-penetrating antihistamines” based on the H1RO. These two drugs have many common chemical properties. However, bilastine has more potent binding affinity to the H1 receptor, and its action tends to last longer. In well-controlled studies using objective indices, bilastine does not affect psychomotor or driving performance even at twice the usual dose (20 mg). Upon selecting antihistamines for allergic rhinitis, various situations should be taken into our consideration. This review summarizes that the non-brain-penetrating antihistamines should be chosen for the first-line therapy of mild allergic rhinitis.


2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 1805-1815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Gómez-Gallego ◽  
Jesus Gómez-Amor ◽  
Juan Gómez-García

AbstractBackground: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic medical condition with symptoms that compromise patients’ quality of life (QoL). The identification of the factor predicting QoL in AD is essential to develop more effective interventions. Recent research suggests that these factors could be different for the distinct informants. This study explores the QoL predictors considering three different sources of information: patients, caregivers, and healthcare staff.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 102 patients, their primary caregivers, and 15 members of the healthcare staff evaluated patients’ QoL (QoL-AD Scale). Patients’ and caregivers’ demographic and clinical data (cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, depression, and caregivers’ burden) were considered as QoL predictors.Results: In multivariate-adjusted linear regression analyses, we observed that patients’ ratings were mainly affected by their mood whereas caregivers’ ratings were also negatively influenced by patients’ irritability and burden. According to staff ratings, both psychotic symptoms and neuroleptics were associated with lower QoL.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that depression is the main variable related to patients’ QoL and that more careful management of neuropsychiatric disorders is necessary. Both proxies’ ratings are not equivalent to patients’ reports in terms of predictors but they are complementary. Thus, a thorough QoL assessment should consider separately the perspective of the different informants.


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