The diagnostic value of component-resolved diagnostics in peanut allergy in children attending a Regional Paediatric Allergology Clinic.

BACKGROUND: To date, diagnosing food allergies in children still presents a diagnostic dilemma, leading to uncertainty concerning the definite diagnosis of peanut allergy, as well as to the need for strict diets and the potential need for adrenalin auto-injectors. This uncertainty in particular is thought to contribute to a lower quality of life. In the diagnostic process double-blind food challenges are considered the gold standard, but they are time-consuming as well as potentially hazardous. Other diagnostic tests have been extensively studied and among these component-resolved diagnostics appeared to present a promising alternative: Ara h2, a peanut storage protein in previous studies showed to have a significant predictive value. METHODS: Sixty-two out of 72 children, with suspected peanut allergy were analyzed using serum specific IgE and/or skin prick tests and specific IgE to several components of peanut (Ara h 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9). Subsequently, double-blind food challenges were performed. The correlation between the various diagnostic tests and the overall outcome of the double-blind food challenges were studied, in particular the severity of the reaction and the eliciting dose. RESULTS: The double-blind provocation with peanut was positive in 33 children (53 %). There was no relationship between the eliciting dose and the severity of the reaction. A statistically significant relationship was found between the skin prick test, specific IgE directed to peanut, Ara h 1, Ara h 2 or Ara h 6, and the outcome of the food challenge test, in terms of positive or negative (P < .001). However, we did not find any relationship between sensitisation to peanut extract or the different allergen components and the severity of the reaction or the eliciting dose. There was no correlation between IgE directed to Ara h 3, Ara h 8, Ara h 9 and the clinical outcome of the food challenge. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that component-resolved diagnostics is not superior to specific IgE to peanut extract or to skin prick testing. At present, it cannot replace double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges for determination of the eliciting dose or the severity of the peanut allergy in our patient group.

Comparison of MRI-assessed body fat content between lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and matched controls: less visceral fat with PCOS.

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder. However, PCOS has a strong resemblance to the metabolic syndrome, including preponderance of visceral fat deposition. The aim of this study is to compare fat distribution between lean women with PCOS and controls matched for body composition but with regular menstrual cycles and proven fertility. METHODS In this prospective cross-sectional study in a fertility outpatient clinic, 10 Caucasian women with PCOS and 10 controls, all with a BMI between 19 and 25 kg/m(2), were included. Fasting glucose, insulin and C-peptide concentrations, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), hormonal levels and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) variables were assessed and fat content and ovarian volume determinations were obtained with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Multiple axial cross-sections were calculated. RESULTS The age of the PCOS and control groups were [mean (SD)] 28.2 years (2.6) versus 33.7 years (2.3) P < 0.0001, respectively, and both groups were matched for BMI: 21.6 kg/m(2) (1.1) versus 21.8 kg/m(2) (2.1) (ns), fasting glucose, insulin, C-peptide, HOMA-insulin resistance (IR) levels and BIA parameters. PCOS cases had higher ovarian volumes and less visceral fat compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS Lean women with PCOS have higher MRI-determined ovarian volumes and less visceral fat content when compared with control women.

The use of pulse-echo ultrasound in women with a recent non-vertebral fracture to identify those without osteoporosis and/or a subclinical vertebral fracture: a pilot study.

A pilot study on the use of P-EU to identify patients without osteoporosis and/or a subclinical vertebral fracture after a recently sustained non-vertebral fracture (NVF). INTRODUCTION: Screening with portable devices at emergency departments or plaster rooms could be of interest to limit referrals for dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and vertebral fracture assessment (VFA). We calculated the number of negative tests for osteoporosis and/or subclinical vertebral fractures (VFs) using pulse-echo ultrasonometry (P-UE) at different thresholds. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 209 consecutive women of 50-70 years with a recent non-vertebral fracture (NVF) were studied at the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) of one hospital. All women received DXA/VFA and P-EU (Bindex®) assessments. Various P-EU thresholds (based on the density index (DI, g/cm2)) were analyzed to calculate the best balance between true negative (indeed no osteoporosis and/or subclinical VF) and false negative tests (osteoporosis and/or subclinical VF according to DXA/VFA). RESULTS: Eighty-three women had osteoporosis (40%) and 17 women at least one VF (8%). Applying the manufacturer's recommended P-EU threshold (DI 0.844 g/cm2) being their proposed cut-off for not having hip osteoporosis resulted in 77 negative tests (37%, 31% true negative and 6% false negative tests). A DI of 0.896 g/cm2 resulted in 40 negative tests (19.3%) (38 true negative (18.3%) and 2 false negative tests (1.0%)). CONCLUSION: The application of P-EU enables the identification of a substantial proportion of women with recent non-vertebral fractures at the FLS who would not need a DXA/VFA referral because they had no osteoporosis and/or subclinical vertebral fractures. The most conservative P-EU threshold resulted in 18.3% true negative tests verified by DXA/VFA against 1% false negative test results.

Diabetes Mellitus-Related Fractional Glucose Uptake in Men and Women Imaged With 18F-FDG PET-CT.

CONTEXT: Cohort studies show that cognitive dysfunction and both vascular and Alzheimer's dementia are more common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). OBJECTIVE: To review and compare brain volume and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in brain of individuals age 60 to 70 years with or without type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: We searched 620 medical records for negative 18FDG PET-CT scans obtained during 33 months. Records showing history of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, neurologic disorders, any history of brain atrophy, or documented cerebral infarction on neuroimaging were excluded from the study. RESULTS: A total of 119 medical records met the inclusion criteria. Data from 63 women and 56 men (without T2DM, 86; with T2DM, 33) were analyzed. Brain volume was larger in men than women (mean ± SD, 1411 ± 225 cm3 vs 1325 ± 147 cm3, respectively; P = 0.02), but men had a significantly lower fractional glucose uptake (SUVgluc), calculated as fasting blood glucose × SUVmax. [median (minimum, maximum), 63.6 (34.6, 126.6) vs 70.0 (36.4, 134.3); P = 0.02]. Brain volume was also larger in persons without T2DM than in those with T2DM (1392 ± 172 cm3 vs 1269 ± 183 cm3; P < 0.001), but SUVgluc was similar between these groups. Brain volume correlated with SUVgluc in both men and women overall (P < 0.001) but not in men and women with T2DM (P = 0.20 and 0.36, respectively). CONCLUSION: In men without T2DM, median brain volume was larger and fractional glucose uptake was less than in women without T2DM. In men and women with T2DM, brain volume and fractional glucose uptake were similar. The findings support the hypothesis that fractional glucose uptake becomes impaired in men with T2DM.

The utility and yield of endoscopic ultrasonography for suspected choledocholithiasis in common gastroenterology practice.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is an established diagnostic modality for diagnosing common bile duct (CBD) stones. Its use has led to a reduction in the number of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures performed for suspected choledocholithiasis. We aimed to explore the role of EUS in detecting CBD stones and/or sludge in common gastroenterology practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed case records of 268 consecutive patients who underwent (EUS) procedures performed to confirm or rule out the presence of CBD stones and/or sludge between November 2006 and January 2011 in the Reinier de Graaf Hospital, Delft, The Netherlands, which is a nonacademic community hospital. RESULTS: On the basis of EUS findings, 169 of 268 (63%) patients did not undergo ERCP and were therefore not exposed to its risk of complications. Patients with positive findings on EUS (n=99) all underwent ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy. Only 57 of 99 (58%) had positive findings at ERCP. The main contributing factors to this finding seem to be time interval between EUS and ERCP and the type of CBD content (i.e. sludge, one CBD stone or more than one CBD stone) described. CONCLUSION: In our common gastroenterology practice, EUS plays an important role in selecting patients suspected to have CBD stones or sludge for ERCP. Much is to be learned about the probability of spontaneous passage of CBD stones and sludge into the duodenum.

Absence of interaction of fondaparinux sodium with aspirin and piroxicam in healthy male volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: Patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery who are being treated with fondaparinux sodium for prevention of venous thromboembolism may be receiving treatment for coronary artery disease or chronic inflammatory disease of the joints or arthritis. Two separate studies assessed any possible interaction between fondaparinux sodium at steady state and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or piroxicam in healthy volunteers. DESIGN: In the first study a single dose of aspirin 975mg was assessed initially, followed by single doses of aspirin or placebo on the fourth day of an 8-day regimen of subcutaneous fondaparinux sodium (10mg once daily). The second study was a three-way crossover, double-blind, randomised study which investigated fondaparinux sodium 10mg + placebo, fondaparinux sodium 10mg + piroxicam 20mg, or placebo + piroxicam 20mg. METHODS: Both studies obtained plasma concentration-time profiles of fondaparinux sodium administered alone and with aspirin or piroxicam. Noncompartmental parameters - peak concentration, trough concentration, time to reach peak concentration, and area under the concentration-time curve - were obtained. Both studies measured the pharmacodynamic parameters bleeding time and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Safety was monitored. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Neither aspirin nor piroxicam influenced the pharmacokinetics of fondaparinux sodium at steady state. Two hours after administration, prolongation of bleeding time with aspirin alone or with aspirin plus fondaparinux sodium was significantly greater than with fondaparinux sodium alone (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004, respectively). No significant differences were observed between aspirin alone or aspirin + fondaparinux sodium in effect on bleeding time. A small decrease in collagen-induced platelet aggregation was observed after administration of piroxicam alone or piroxicam + fondaparinux sodium. A small effect on aPTT was observed; it was similar for fondaparinux sodium whether administered alone or in combination with either aspirin or piroxicam. No serious adverse events were reported.

Vitamin K1 monitoring in pregnancies after bariatric surgery: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal intracranial bleedings and birth defects have been reported, possibly related to maternal vitamin K1 deficiency during pregnancy after bariatric surgery. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of screening and supplementation on K1 serum levels in pregnant women with bariatric surgery, and to compare K1 levels and prothrombin time (PT %) in the first trimester with pregnant women without bariatric surgery. METHODS: A prospective cohort study including 49 pregnant women with bariatric surgery. Nutritional deficiencies were prospectively screened. In case of observed low K1 serum levels, supplementation was provided. K1 serum levels and PT (%) during the first trimester were compared with a nonsurgical control group of 27 women. RESULTS: During the first trimester, most women had low K1 serum levels (<0.8 nmol/l). Mean vitamin K1 levels were significantly lower in the surgical group compared to the nonsurgical control group (.44 versus .64 nmol/l; P = .016). PT (%) remained in the normal range, The surgery group showed a higher mean PT compared to the controls (111.3 versus 98.9%; P<.001) Mean K1 serum levels in the study group were higher during the third than during the first trimester (P = .014). PT (%) was significantly higher during the second and third than during the first trimester (P = .004). Most of the coagulation factors, including II, V, VII, IX, and X, remained within normal ranges. CONCLUSION: Low circulating K1 appears to be common in pregnant women with and without bariatric surgery. Supplementation during pregnancy can restore vitamin K1 in women with bariatric surgery, potentially protecting the fetus and newborn against intracranial hemorrhage.

First quantification of calcium intake from calcium-dense dairy products in Dutch fracture patients (the Delft cohort study).

Recommendations for daily calcium intake from dairy products are variable and based on local consensus. To investigate whether patients with a recent fracture complied with these recommendations, we quantified the daily dairy calcium intake including milk, milk drinks, pudding, yoghurt, and cheese in a Dutch cohort of fracture patients and compared outcomes with recent data of a healthy U.S. cohort (80% Caucasians). An observational study analyzed dairy calcium intakes of 1526 female and 372 male Dutch fracture patients older than 50. On average, participants reported three dairy servings per day, independently of age, gender or population density. Median calcium intake from dairy was 790 mg/day in females and males. Based on dairy products alone, 11.3% of women and 14.2% of men complied with Dutch recommendations for calcium intake (adults ≤ 70 years: 1100 mg/day and >70 years: 1200 mg/day). After including 450 mg calcium from basic nutrition, compliance raised to 60.5% and 59.1%, respectively, compared to 53.2% in the U.S. cohort. Daily dairy calcium intake is not associated with femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores or WHO Fracture Assessment Tool (FRAX) risk scores for major fracture or hip fracture. However, when sub analyzing the male cohort, these associations were weakly negative. The prevalence of maternal hip fracture was a factor for current fracture risks, both in women and men. While daily dairy calcium intake of Dutch fracture patients was well below the recommended dietary intake, it was comparable to intakes in a healthy U.S. cohort. This questions recommendations for adding more additional dairy products to preserve adult skeletal health, particularly when sufficient additional calcium is derived from adequate non-dairy nutrition.