Canadian Thoracic Society 2012 guideline update: Diagnosis and management of asthma in preschoolers, children and adults: Executive summary.

Can Respir J. 2012 Nov;19(6):e81-8

Authors: Lougheed D

PMID: 23248807 [PubMed - in process]

Molecular diagnosis of peanut allergy.

Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2012 Nov;12(8):879-91

Authors: Chan SM, Dumitru C, Turcanu V

Abstract
Peanut allergy prevalence has increased in developed countries over the last few decades in the frame of the allergy epidemics, currently affecting 1-2% of children. While less frequent in developing countries, its prevalence is rising as these countries adopt a more westernized lifestyle. There is no curative treatment for peanut allergy at present so patient management relies on peanut avoidance, which requires an accurate diagnosis. Recent progress in peanut allergy diagnosis was made with the introduction of component resolved diagnosis that allows the assessment of IgE specific to individual peanut allergens. Component-resolved diagnosis needs to be interpreted in the context of clinical data but overall increases the diagnostic accuracy, as described in the typical cases that we present. Novel diagnostic tools have been proposed recently, such as the basophil activation test, mRNA expression and resonance magnetic evaluation of biomarkers.

PMID: 23249205 [PubMed - in process]

Comparative Analysis of Allergic Rhinitis in Children and Adults.

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2012 Dec 19;

Authors: Izquierdo-Domínguez A, Valero AL, Mullol J

Abstract
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a worldwide health problem that generates a significant healthcare burden in adults, adolescents, and children. Epidemiological studies have indicated that the prevalence of AR has progressively increased over the last three decades in developed and industrialized countries. AR currently affects up to 40 % of the worldwide population, with differences between adults and children and different countries of the World. Although not life-threatening, AR symptoms are frequently bothersome, adversely affecting work and quality of life of the affected patients, and causing a significant burden on both the individual and society. The symptoms have the potential to lead to both physical and mental complications, with sleep-disordered breathing in childhood and adolescence being associated with disorders in learning performance, behavior, and attention. Clinical features and comorbidities are very important for the "allergic march", and in both adults and children there is some evidence of association between AR and asthma. ARIA classifications of both symptom duration (intermittent, persistent) and severity (mild, moderate, severe) have been validated in both adult and pediatric populations. Based on the duration and severity of patient's disease, an appropriate treatment strategy has been issued for both adults and children, which consists of patient's education, allergen avoidance, and pharmacological as well as allergen-specific immunotherapy treatment. The present review will attempt to compare the characteristics of AR between children and adults, either in the epidemiology, clinical features, impact on QOL, and management of the disease.

PMID: 23250586 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

High-intensity focused ultrasound for the treatment of allergic rhinitis using nasal endoscopy.

Exp Ther Med. 2013 Jan;5(1):320-322

Authors: Cheng LJ, Liu B, Ning B, Ming H, Wang C, Wan LX

Abstract
The present study aimed to observe the therapeutic effect of high-intensity focused ultrasound for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) using nasal endoscopy. A total of 72 patients with perennial AR received treatment using the CZB ultrasonic therapeutic instrument with nasal endoscopy. A scoring method was adopted for evaluation of effectiveness according to the AR therapeutic principles and recommendations described in Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) in 2001. The patients were followed up between 2 and 6 months after treatment. The excellence rate was 34.7% (25/72), the effective rate was 62.5% (45/72) and the ineffective rate was 2.8% (2/72). The total effective rate reached 97.2% high (70/72). Endoscopic high-intensity focused ultrasound for the treatment of AR is a non-invasive method and has the advantages of simple manipulation, a short course, high safety and a clear short-term effect.

PMID: 23251291 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]