Evaluation of the origin and educational quality of youtube videos on adrenaline auto-injectors.

Summary: Background. Guidelines highlight the pivotal role of adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) training. However, the standards of visual training platforms has not been determined. Our aim was to evaluate the reliability and quality of the AAI related videos on YouTube. Methods. After a search on YouTube about AAI, all videos were categorized into groups based on their origin and the aim of the content. The quality, reliability, understandibility, and actionability of the videos were evaluated using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool Audovisiual (PEMAT-A/V), Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN), and a modified DISCERN. In each video, the application steps of AAI were evaluated according to a scale of correct usage. Results. 107 YouTube videos in English were included. No significant difference in terms of views, likes, duration and uploading time was observed between the health and non-health groups whereas the GQS (p=0.001), DISCERN (total: p=0.02, and overall: p=0.094), modified DISCERN (p=0.001) scores were higher in the health group. It was found that scores tended to be higher in educational videos. AAI use was mentioned in 85% videos. The median number of mentioned steps was 6. Conclusions. YouTube is an effective platform for visual learning for the use of AAIs. Although the visibility of the videos is equal independent of the origin, the ones recorded by medical professionals seem to provide the most qualified and reliable information.

Oral immunotherapy in alpha-gal red meat allergy: Could specific IgE be a potential biomarker in monitoring management?

BACKGROUND: Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a promising treatment for food allergies. Our aim was to establish the long-term safety and efficacy of a novel red meat (RM) OIT in galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) allergy in adults. METHODS: Out of 20 patients with confirmed RM allergy, five (41.66%) underwent an early OIT, seven (58.33%) underwent a delayed protocol and eight patients who were not desensitized formed the patient control group. 15 and 27 day RM OIT for early-onset and delayed-onset alpha-gal allergy were administered, respectively. Desensitized patients were recommended to continue eating at least 100 g RM every day for 6 months and every other day in the following 6 months. After a year, the consumption was recommended 2/3 times in a week. Patients were followed up with skin tests with commercial beef and lamb extracts, fresh raw/cooked beef and lamb and cetuximab and also with serum alpha-gal specific Immunoglobulin-E (sIgE) in the first and fifth years. RESULTS: All patients who underwent OIT became tolerant to RM. During the 5 year follow-up, the median alpha-gal sIgE concentration gradually decreased in nine patients who consumed RM uneventfully while remained unchanged in the control group (p = .016). In two patients, rare tick bites acted as inducers of hypersensitivity reactions with concomitant elevation of alpha-gal sIgE concentrations whereas one patient with low follow-up alpha-gal sIgE concentrations consumed RM uneventfully after frequent tick bites. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed the long-term safety and efficacy of alpha-gal OIT. Additionally, alpha-gal sIgE seems to be a potential biomarker to monitor OIT.

Influencing factors on the safety and effectiveness of venom immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The safety profile of venom immunotherapy (VIT) is a relevant issue and considerable differences in safety and efficacy of VIT have been reported. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers during VIT, which has already been published. For a second analysis, data concerning premedication and venom preparations in relation to systemic adverse events (AE) during the up-dosing phase and the first year of the maintenance phase were evaluated as well as the outcome of field stings and sting challenges. METHODS: The study was conducted as an open, prospective, observational, multicenter study. In total, 1,425 patients were enrolled and VIT was performed in 1,342 patients. RESULTS: Premedication with oral antihistamines was taken by 52.1% of patients during the up-dosing and 19.7% of patients during the maintenance phase. Taking antihistamines had no effect on the frequency of systemic AE (p=0.11) but large local reactions (LLR) were less frequently seen (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58-0.96; p=0.02). Aqueous preparations were preferentially used for up-dosing (73.0%) and depot preparations for the maintenance phase (64.5%). The type of venom preparation neither had an influence on the frequency of systemic AE nor on the effectiveness of VIT (p=0.26 and p=0.80, respectively), while LLR were less frequently seen when depot preparations were used (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with oral antihistamines during VIT significantly reduces the frequency of LLR but not systemic AE. All venom preparations used were equally effective and did not differ in the frequency of systemic AE.

Cutaneous drug reactions to antiepileptic drugs and relation with HLA alleles in the Turkish population.

Summary: Background and objective. Many studies have shown associations between HLAB*15:02, HLA-A*31:01 and carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions. The aim of this study is to evaluate a possible association between delayed cutaneous reactions to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and certain HLA-A and HLA-B alleles in the Turkish population. Methods. The study consisted of 3 groups: Group I (reactive group) included the patients who had documented delayed cutaneous reactions to any antiepileptic drug. Group II (non-reactive group) included the patients who have been on antiepileptic treatment at least for three months without any adverse reactions. Group III consisted of healthy subjects. The HLA-A and B alleles were analyzed in all groups. Results. Forty patients (29 female) had experienced different hypersensitivity reactions due to AEDs: maculopapular exanthema (26 patients), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (6 patients), drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (7 patients), toxic epidermal necrolysis (1 patient). Lamotrigine (11) and CBZ (10) were the most common culprit drugs involved in the reactions. The HLA-B*15:02 was not present in any of the study groups. However, HLA-B*35:02 was found in 4 patients from the reactive group, while it was not observed in non-reactive patients and was detected in only one healthy subject (p = 0.021). Conclusion. Although our preliminary results did not indicate a strong allele association with AED hypersensitivity, HLA-B*35:02 appears to be a candidate allele for MPE / DRESS / DIHSS induced by AED's in Turkish population. Further studies with a larger sample size may result in more comprehensive data about the genetic tendency for AED hypersensitivity in the Turkish population.

Evaluation of hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs according to the latest classification.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The consensus document for hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) proposed by the European Network for Drug Allergy (ENDA) interest group (2011) was revised in 2013. We aimed to evaluate the usability of the latest NSAID hypersensitivity classification of ENDA. METHOD: A total of 370 patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs among the 1250 outpatients referred for suspected drug allergy between July 2013 and June 2014 were evaluated, and 308 patients who were confirmed as having NSAID hypersensitivity were included in this study. After confirming the diagnosis, a single-blind placebo-controlled drug provocation test was performed with aspirin or diclofenac to categorize the patients according to the ENDA classification. The reactions not meeting the ENDA classification criteria were grouped as blended reactions. RESULTS: Among the 308 patients (224 female, mean age 42.12 ± 13.24), the leading cause of hypersensitivity reactions was metamizol (30.5%) followed by aspirin (30.2%). The most common NSAID hypersensitivity subgroup was SNIUAA (46.4%) and the least common type was SNIDR (1.6%). Cross-reactivity was identified in 50.3% of the patients. In five patients (1.6%), the hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs did not meet the ENDA classification: Three patients experienced anaphylaxis with different NSAIDs, one patient encountered anaphylaxis with one NSAID and urticaria with other NSAIDs, and the last patient had angioedema with different NSAIDs. CONCLUSION: The latest ENDA classification for NSAID hypersensitivity is generally a practical and useful instrument for clinicians. We only point out that anaphylaxis with different NSAIDs can be seen in a small group of patients.

Drug allergy in tertiary care in Turkey: results of a national survey. The ADAPT study: adult drug allergy perception in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: No data are available on the incidence of drug hypersensitivity (DH) reactions in outpatient settings of tertiary allergy/immunology clinics. Our aims were to document the frequency of outpatient hospital admissions due to DH reactions to allergy/immunology clinics in adults and the management of these reactions in real life. We also investigated whether drug allergy affected social and medical behaviours of the patients. METHODS: This multi-centre study was performed for one year with the participation of 11 out of 16 tertiary allergy/clinical immunology clinics in Turkey. The study group consisted of the patients with DH reactions. Results of a questionnaire including drug reactions and management were recorded. RESULTS: Among 54,863 patients, 1000 patients with DH were enrolled with a median of 2.1% of all admissions. In real life conditions, the majority of approaches were performed for finding safe alternatives (65.5%; 1102 out of 1683) with 11.7% positivity. Diagnostic procedures were positive in 27% (154/581) of the patients. The majority of the patients had higher VAS scores for anxiety. A total of 250 subjects (25%) reported that they delayed some medical procedures because of DH. CONCLUSION: Our results documented the frequency of admissions due to DH reactions to allergy/clinical immunology clinics for the first time. Although physicians mostly preferred to perform drug tests in order to find safe alternatives, considering the fact that DH was confirmed in 27% of the patients, use of diagnostic tests should be encouraged, if no contraindication exists in order to avoid mislabelling patients as DH.

Immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions to proton pump inhibitors: usefulness of skin tests in the diagnosis and assessment of cross-reactivity.

BACKGROUND: Data are limited about the value of skin tests in the diagnosis of proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-induced hypersensitivity reactions and the cross-reactivity between PPIs. We aimed to assess the role of skin testing in the diagnosis of PPI-related immediate hypersensitivity reactions and the cross-reactivity patterns among PPIs. METHODS: The study was designed in a prospective, national, multicentre nature. Sixty-five patients with a suggestive history of a PPI-induced immediate hypersensitivity reaction and 30 control subjects were included. Standardized skin prick and intradermal tests were carried out with a panel of PPIs. Single-blind, placebo-controlled oral provocation tests (OPTs) with the PPIs other than the culprit PPI that displayed negative results in skin tests (n = 61) and diagnostic OPTs with the suspected PPI (n = 12) were performed. RESULTS: The suspected PPIs were lansoprazole (n = 52), esomeprazole (n = 11), pantoprazole (n = 9), rabeprazole (n = 2), and omeprazole (n = 1). The sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values of the skin tests with PPIs were 58.8%, 100%, 70.8%, and 100%, respectively. Fifteen of the 31 patients with a hypersensitivity reaction to lansoprazole had a positive OPT or skin test result with at least one of the alternative PPIs (8/52 pantoprazole, 6/52 omeprazole, 5/52 esomeprazole, 3/52 rabeprazole). CONCLUSION: Considering the high specificity, skin testing seems to be a useful method for the diagnosis of immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions to PPIs and for the evaluation of cross-reactivity among PPIs. However, OPT should be performed in case of negativity on skin tests.

[Facial edema as an earlier presenting sign of giant cell arteritis. Possible relationship with angioedema]. / Gesichtsödem als Frühsymptom einer Riesenzellarteriitis. Mögliche Beziehung zum Angioödem.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic granulomatous vasculitis of unknown etiology occurring in the elderly. New-onset headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, temporal artery abnormalities on physical examination, visual symptoms and associated polymyalgia rheumatica represent the most typical and frequent features of the disease. However, facial edema is being more commonly recognized as a presenting symptom that may herald the disease. We present a case with facial edema as initial symptom and discuss if this rare symptom of GCA is due to hereditary or acquired angioedema.

Methotrexate: can it be a choice for nasal polyposis in aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease?

Nasal polyposis (NP) is considered a subgroup of chronic rhinosinusitis and is commonly associated with asthma, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis. A certain subgroup of nasal polyposis is known as Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD), previously called Samter's Triad or aspirin triad, comprising polyposis, asthma, and aspirin hypersensitivity and makes up almost 10% of cases of NP. Therapy of NP involves a combination of medical and surgical treatments. However, recurrences are common, particularly in patients with asthma and aspirin hypersensitivity. Both topical and systemic corticosteroids form the mainstay of conservative therapy for NP as well as a primary treatment and prevention for recurrences. They have been shown to improve nasal breathing, rhinitis symptoms, and reduce the size of NP, along with the rate of recurrence. There is great concern about the adverse effects of systemic steroids, especially when long-term usage is necessary to maintain improvement. So far, no knowledge exists about the effects of methotrexate (MTX) on NP of the patients with asthma. We report two patients whose NP dramatically reduced in size after a course of MTX therapy administered as an additional treatment for their steroid- dependent asthma.

Confirmed prevalence of food allergy and non-allergic food hypersensitivity in a Mediterranean population.

BACKGROUND: Until the present, no comprehensive studies evaluating the prevalence of food allergy and non-allergic food hypersensitivity (FA/NAFH) in adults have been done in Turkey or its surrounding countries. OBJECTIVE: This large population-based study was planned to identify the confirmed prevalence of adverse reactions to food in adults in Istanbul. METHODS: A total of 17 064 telephone numbers were randomly selected from both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, and the 11 816 subjects who agreed to participate in the study were addressed with a questionnaire of eight items. Those who disclosed food-related complaints in this survey were called again and a similar questionnaire was repeated. The respondents who were suspected of having food allergy or food hypersensitivity were invited for a personal clinical investigation that included double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge tests. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of self-reported FA/NAFH was found to be 9.5% [1118/11 816; 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.94-10.00%]. After the clinical investigations, the point prevalence of FA/NAFH, which also included the 'possible FA/NAFH group', was found to be as low as 0.3% (30/11 816; 95% CI: 0.17-0.36%), and the FA/NAFH rates assessed by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge tests were 0.1% (12/11 816; 95% CI: 0.05-0.18%) and 0.1% (11/11 816; 95% CI: 0.05-0.17%), respectively. The most significant factor influencing FA/NAFH was familial atopy (adjusted OR 4.3; 95% CI: 3.67-4.99), and the most related atopic disease was itching dermatitis/urticaria (adjusted OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 3.31-4.54). CONCLUSION: We may conclude that FA/NAFH in the Turkish population seems to be low when compared with Northern and Western European countries. This may be due to genetic, cultural or dietary factors, and further studies evaluating the reasons for this low prevalence of FA/NAFH in our population are needed.

Morbilidad psiquiátrica y calidad de vida en pacientes con urticaria crónica idiopática / Psychiatric morbidity and quality of life in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria

Objetivos. Determinar la prevalencia de la morbilidad psiquiátrica en los pacientes con urticaria crónica idiopática (UCI); determinar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (HRQL) en los pacientes con UCI en comparación con controles sanos. Métodos. Se seleccionaron 350 pacientes con urticaria crónica, entre el 1/01/2005 y 31/04/2005 en el Departamento de Alergia de la Universidad de Estambul, que cumplieran con los criterios de inclusión: pacientes con diagnóstico de UCI, con edad de entre 18 y 65 años, sin síntomas psicóticos ni retardo mental, con capacidad cognitiva normal y ausencia de enfermedad comórbida. Como control se eligió un grupo de individuos sanos con características demográficas comunes. Todos los participantes recibieron información sobre el estudio mediante consentimiento informado. Se realizó el diagnóstico de UCI descartando, para ello, todas las causas posibles (drogas, químicos, alimentos) mediante dietas de eliminación y con prick tests negativos. Además, se realizaron exámenes de laboratorio: hematología, enzimas hepáticas, hormonas tiroideas, anticuerpos antinucleares y test del suero autólogo. Se utilizó una escala visual analógica, además de entrevistas clínicas para medir la severidad de la enfermedad. Por otra parte, la evaluación psiquiátrica consistió en: entrevistas de forma semiestructurada en donde los participantes completaron un cuestionario de HRQL (resultado de la encuesta de salud) de 36 ítems de forma corta (SF-36) y además una entrevista clínica estructurada por el eje DSM-IV para diagnóstico de enfermedad psiquiátrica en los pacientes con UCI. Resultados. En este estudio se incluyó a 84 pacientes con UCI y 75 controles sanos. La media de edad ± desvío estándar fue 36,83 ± 10,26. El 84% de los pacientes eran mujeres; la duración media (±DE) de la enfermedad fue 6,34 ± 7,2 años y los síntomas fueron intermitentes en el 51% de los pacientes.