The EAACI/GA(2) LEN/EDF/WAO Guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria: the 2013 revision and update

This guideline is the result of a systematic literature review using the 'Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation' (GRADE) methodology and a structured consensus conference held on 28 and 29 November 2012, in Berlin. It is a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the EU-funded network of excellence, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2) LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) with the participation of delegates of 21 national and international societies. Urticaria is a frequent, mast cell-driven disease, presenting with wheals, angioedema, or both. The life-time prevalence for acute urticaria is approximately 20%. Chronic spontaneous urticaria and other chronic forms of urticaria do not only cause a decrease in quality of life, but also affect performance at work and school and, as such, are members of the group of severe allergic diseases. This guideline covers the definition and classification of urticaria, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors and pathomechanisms. In addition, it outlines evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the different subtypes of urticaria. This guideline was acknowledged and accepted by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS).

Methods report on the development of the 2013 revision and update of the EAACI/GA2 LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria

This methods report describes the process of guideline development in detail. It is the result of a systematic literature review using the 'Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation' (GRADE) methodology and a structured consensus conference held on 28 and 29 November 2012, in Berlin. It is a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the EU-funded network of excellence, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2) LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) with the participation of delegates of 21 national and international societies. This guideline covers the definition and classification of urticaria, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors and pathomechanisms. In addition, it outlines evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the different subtypes of urticaria. This guideline was acknowledged and accepted by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) and is published in Allergy 2014; 69:868-887

New treatment options in allergic rhinitis: patient considerations and the role of ciclesonide.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease affecting 5%-50% of the worldwide population and its prevalence is increasing (Herman 2007). In addition, AR is associated with asthma and other co-morbidities such as conjunctivitis and sinusitis. The main symptoms are nasal congestion, rhinorrea, sneezing, itching, and post-nasal drainage induced after allergen exposure by an IgE-mediated inflammation of the membranes lining the nose. AR is not a life-threatening disease, but it has been shown to have a significant impact on quality of life. The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines propose a classification of AR in intermittent and persistent, each graded as mild or moderate-severe, and provide a stepwise approach to the treatment. Inhaled steroids and antihistamine are the main tools in AR therapy but more safe and effective drugs are, however, needed. Inhaled steroid ciclesonide appears to be safe and effective.

Efectos preventivos de la inmunoterapia sublingual en niños: un estudio abierto, aleatorizado y controlado / Preventive effects of sublingual immunotherapy in childhood: an open randomized controlled study

Objetivos. Evaluar los efectos clínicos y preventivos de la inmunoterapia sublingual (SLIT) con respecto a la aparición de asma persistente, nuevas sensibilizaciones, síntomas clínicos e hiperreactividad bronquial (HRB). Los objetivos secundarios fueron: evaluar la magnitud del efecto clínico y el efecto sobre la HRB; ver la seguridad y adhesión a la SLIT. Material y métodos: Participaron 216 niños, de ambos sexos, entre 5 y 17 años, pacientes del Hospital Cuasso al Monte, Varese, Italia, con rinitis alérgica de al menos 2 años de evolución, con o sin síntomas de asma intermitente, y con diagnóstico de etiología alérgica confirmado para ácaros, gramíneas, árboles y malezas. Se excluyeron pacientes con asma persistente o VEF1 <80%, uso previo de inmunoterapia, anormalidades anatómicas de las vías aéreas superiores, enfermedades sistémicas crónicas (malignas o autoinmunes) y sensibilizaciones a epitelios y hongos anemófilos. Para los diagnósticos de rinitis y asma se emplearon las guías actuales (ARIA, GINA). Se realizaron prick test con panel estándar de alérgenos relevantes (ALK Abelló), histamina 1% y control negativo al principio y al final del estudio. Las pruebas de función pulmonar consistieron en espirometría computarizada con cabina pletismográfica y prueba de provocación no específica con metacolina con dosis progresivas desde 30 a 1.290 µg, durante el período de máxima exposición alérgenica según sensibilidad de cada paciente, al inicio y al final del estudio. A los pacientes con prueba negativa (descenso del VEFI <20%) se los consederaba con diagnóstico de rinitis exclusivamente. El estudi tuvo un período basal de 1 año de observación y luego una fase de aleatorización de 3 años de tratamiento abierto con dos ramas. Un grupo de pacientes utilizó drogas exclusivamente, y otro grupo drogas más SLIT (con una distribución 1/2).