Atopic March or Atopic Multimorbidity-Overview of Current Research.

The atopic march encompasses a sequence of allergic conditions, including atopic dermatitis, food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and asthma, that frequently develop in a sequential pattern within the same individual. It was introduced as a conceptual framework aimed at elucidating the developmental trajectory of allergic conditions during childhood. Following the introduction of this concept, it was initially believed that the atopic march represented the sole and definitive trajectory of the development of allergic diseases. However, this perspective evolved with the emergence of new longitudinal studies, which revealed that the evolution of allergic diseases is far more intricate. It involves numerous immunological pathological mechanisms and may not align entirely with the traditional concept of the atopic march. The objective of our review is to portray the atopic march alongside other patterns in the development of childhood allergic diseases, with a specific emphasis on the potential for a personalized approach to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of atopic conditions.

Protocol Development of a Personalized Balanced Nutrition Concept for Preschool Children, Primarily Those with Food Allergies, Using an IT Platform.

Children with food allergies are at higher risk for severe anaphylactic reactions and for key nutrient deficiency. In order to address these concerns, enable early detection, and improve the monitoring of children with food allergies, an innovative IT platform will be developed by IT experts (IN2 Ltd. Zagreb, Croatia, part of Constellation Software Inc. (Toronto, ON, Canada)) and Srebrnjak Children's Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia (SCH) for the effective implementation of personalized balanced nutrition in preschool institutions in Croatia. Additionally, the data obtained through this research, including epidemiological data on allergic diseases, clinical data (diagnostic allergy tests and others), anthropometry, and physical activity status, will be used to create a national Allergy registry. Other than being a tool for personalized and balanced nutrition for children, especially those with special dietary requirements (including food allergy and intolerance), the IT platform developed in this study will enable the continuous monitoring of these children as a part of their clinical management plan and earlier detection of food allergies, intolerance, and other conditions, even outside of the healthcare system. This research also aims at optimizing current and developing novel personalized therapeutic regimes, detecting novel early biomarkers in children with food allergies and intolerances, and involving all key stakeholders (caregivers, preschool institutions, etc.) in the shared-care approach in the management of food allergies in children.

Pseudophakic Cystoid Macular Oedema (PCME) Prevention in Patients with Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR)-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of topical bromfenac and dexamethasone on the intraocular concentration of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and incidence of pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema (PCME) after cataract surgery in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Materials and Methods: Ninety eyes of patients with mild-to-moderate NPDR that underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery were divided into three groups. A detailed description of the clinical study protocol is described later in paper. In short, Group 1 received topical bromfenac (0.9 mg/mL), Group 2 dexamethasone (1 mg/mL), and Group 3 placebo, both preoperatively and postoperatively. Additionally, all patients received combined topical steroid and antibiotic drops (dexamethasone, neomycin and polymyxin B) 3 weeks postoperatively. On the day of the surgery, aqueous humour samples (0.1-0.2 mL) were obtained and IL-6 concentrations were analysed. Central foveal subfield thickness (CFT) measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was analysed preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: There was no significant difference in IL-6 concentrations between groups. Postoperative CFT was significantly lower in the dexamethasone group compared to the placebo group. In addition, the correlation between IL-6 and CFT was statistically significant in the dexamethasone group. No patient developed PCME in any of the three groups. No adverse events were reported during the study. Conclusion: Topical bromfenac and dexamethasone have no significant effect on intraocular IL-6 concentration in patients with NPDR. Topical bromfenac is not more effective than topical dexamethasone in reducing postoperative CFT in patients with NPDR.

Association of bacterial load in drinking water and allergic diseases in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of drinking water may decrease microbial exposure. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether bacterial load in drinking water is associated with altered risk of allergic diseases. METHODS: We recruited 1,110 schoolchildren aged 6-16 years between 2011 and 2013 in Pozega-Slavonia County in Croatia, where we capitalized on a natural experiment whereby individuals receive drinking water through public mains supply or individual wells. We obtained data on microbial content of drinking water for all participants; 585 children were randomly selected for more detailed assessments, including skin prick testing. Since water supply was highly correlated with rural residence, we compared clinical outcomes across four groups (Rural/Individual, Rural/Public, Urban/Individual and Urban/Public). For each child, we derived quantitative index of microbial exposure (bacterial load in the drinking water measured during the child's first year of life). RESULTS: Cumulative bacterial load in drinking water was higher (median [IQR]: 6390 [4190-9550] vs 0 [0-0]; P < .0001), and lifetime prevalence of allergic diseases was significantly lower among children with individual supply (5.5% vs 2.3%, P = .01; 14.4% vs 6.7%, P < .001; 25.2% vs 15.1%, P < .001; asthma, atopic dermatitis [AD] and rhinitis, respectively). Compared with the reference group (Urban/Public), there was a significant reduction in the risk of ever asthma, AD and rhinitis amongst rural children with individual supply: OR [95% CI]: 0.14 [0.03,0.67], P = .013; 0.20 [0.09,0.43], P < .001; 0.17 [0.10,0.32], P < .001. Protection was also observed in the Rural/Public group, but the effect was consistently highest among Rural/Individual children. In the quantitative analysis, the risk of allergic diseases decreased significantly with increasing bacterial load in drinking water in the first year of life (0.79 [0.70,0.88], P < .001; 0.90 [0.83,0.99], P = .025; 0.80 [0.74,0.86], P < .001; current wheeze, AD and rhinitis). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: High commensal bacterial content in drinking water may protect against allergic diseases.

Expiratory variability index (EVI) is associated with the severity of acute bronchial obstruction in small children: A proof-of-concept study.

BACKGROUND: Lung function testing in small children is cumbersome. However, reduced variability of tidal breathing recorded using impedance pneumography (IP) during sleep was recently found to be a potential objective marker of wheeze in children aged 1-5 years. We aimed to investigate how an acute bronchial obstruction (BO) and its severity, and recovery thereof reflect in expiratory variability index (EVI). METHODS: EVI was measured using a wearable IP system (Ventica®) during sleep in 40 healthy controls (aged 1.5-5.9 years) and 30 patients hospitalized due to acute BO (aged 1.3-5.3 years). In healthy controls, EVI was measured for 1-3 nights at their homes. Patients were measured for several nights during hospitalization, as practically feasible, and at home 2 and 4 weeks post-discharge. RESULTS: We received 79 EVI results from 39 controls and 139 from 30 patients. 90% had previous BO episodes, 30% used asthma controller medication before and 100% after hospitalization. Compared to controls, EVI was significantly lower during hospitalization (P < .0001) having significant correlation with number of days to discharge (r = -.38, P = .004). At 2 or 4 weeks post-discharge, EVI was not significantly different from the controls (P = .14, P = .49, respectively). EVI was significantly associated with chest auscultation findings (P = .0001) being 17.5 (4.9) (median, IQR) with normal auscultation, 15.6 (7.4) in those with prolonged expiration and 11.4 (6.8) in those with wheeze and/or rales and crackles. CONCLUSIONS: EVI was found to be a sensitive, objective marker of acute BO, showing strong association with changes in clinical status in wheezy children aged 1-5 years.

Differences in Reporting the Ragweed Pollen Season Using Google Trends across 15 Countries.

BACKGROUND: Google Trends (GT) searches trends of specific queries in Google, which potentially reflect the real-life epidemiology of allergic rhinitis. We compared GT terms related to ragweed pollen allergy in American and European Union countries with a known ragweed pollen season. Our aim was to assess seasonality and the terms needed to perform the GT searches and to compare these during the spring and summer pollen seasons. METHODS: We examined GT queries from January 1, 2011, to January 4, 2017. We included 15 countries with a known ragweed pollen season and used the standard 5-year GT graphs. We used the GT translation for all countries and the untranslated native terms for each country. RESULTS: The results of "pollen," "ragweed," and "allergy" searches differed between countries, but "ragweed" was clearly identified in 12 of the 15 countries. There was considerable heterogeneity of findings when the GT translation was used. For Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia, the GT translation was inappropriate. The country patterns of "pollen," "hay fever," and "allergy" differed in 8 of the 11 countries with identified "ragweed" queries during the spring and the summer, indicating that the perception of tree and grass pollen allergy differs from that of ragweed pollen. CONCLUSIONS: To investigate ragweed pollen allergy using GT, the term "ragweed" as a plant is required and the translation of "ragweed" in the native language needed.

Mood disorders in adult asthma phenotypes.

OBJECTIVE: Studies show high comorbidity of mood disorders in asthma. As asthma is a highly heterogeneous disease with different phenotypes it can be expected that there is a difference in this association with different asthma phenotypes. The aim of our cross-sectional study was to assess the association of specific asthma phenotypes with anxiety and/or depression and their impact on asthma control. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in 201 consecutive adult outpatients with asthma (≥18 years of age) was conducted. Each patient underwent physical examination, detailed medical history, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Asthma Control Questionnaire, Asthma Control Test, together with measurements of lung function and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide. Phenotypes were assessed using cluster analysis, and a multivariate analysis was used to identify associations of mood disorders with different phenotypes. RESULTS: Five asthma phenotypes were identified: allergic (AA, 43.8%), aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD, 21.9%), late-onset (LOA, 18.9%), obesity-associated (OAA, 10.0%), and respiratory infections associated asthma (RIAA, 5.5%). A multivariate analysis showed a significant association of anxiety with LOA and comorbid hypertension (LOA, odds ratio (OR) = 2.12; hypertension, OR = 2.37, p = 0.012), and depression with AA, RIAA, hypertension, and ACQ score (AA, OR = 6.07; RIAA, OR = 4.73; hypertension, OR = 5.67; ACQ, OR = 1.87; p < 0.001). Comorbid anxiety/depression was associated with AA, LOA, RIAA, hypertension, and ACQ score (AA, OR = 10.15; LOA, OR = 2.98; RIAA, OR = 6.29; hypertension, OR = 5.15; ACQ, OR = 1.90; p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Mood disorders were significantly associated with AA, LOA, and infection-associated asthma, together with comorbid hypertension and the level of asthma control.

Early detection of COPD patients in GOLD 0 population: an observational non-interventional cohort study - MARKO study.

BACKGROUND: Main risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is smoking, although only less than 1/3 of smokers develop clinically manifest COPD. COPD's progressive nature with high disability and mortality makes it plausible to detect it as early as possible thus allowing for an early intervention. The only tool for an early diagnosis that could be used on the global scale is spirometry, even though symptoms and deprivation of health related quality of life (HRQoL) precede relevant spirometric changes. Existing HRQoL questionnaires are too complicated or not developed for an early detection of COPD. The aim of our study was to develop a new simple HRQoL tool that will allow (alone or in combination with other markers) early detection of patients with COPD. METHODS: A multicenter prospective cohort study recruiting 500 subjects at risk for COPD (smokers/ex-smokers ≥20 pack-years, 40-65 years, both sexes, with no prior diagnosis of COPD) will be carried out in two phases: (1) cross-sectional - development and validation of a new questionnaire; and (2) prospective - follow-up of a cohort of patients at risk for COPD. Subjects were recruited by 25 GPs and assessed for COPD by dedicated pulmonologists in 7 hospital centers using a predefined protocol: HRQoL, history, physical, blood sampling, exhaled breath temperature (EBT), lung function, 6-min walk test (6MWT). Patients without COPD and those in GOLD stage 1 at initial assessment will be reassessed for disease progression by the same pulmonologist after 2 and 5 years. DISCUSSION: This is one of the first cohort studies attempting to establish the incidence of COPD in the pre-symptomatic stage before significant end organ damage. We intend to assess the validity, predictability and discriminative power ('healthy' smokers vs. pre-symptomatic phase in newly developed COPD) of newly developed HRQoL tool alone or in combination with other markers; EBT, lung function, 6MWT, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics). We expect that the results of this study can improve our understanding of the development of COPD, identify some new underlying pathophysiological pathways, and offer to sensitive smokers/ex-smokers new preventive and early intervention measures thus improving the management of COPD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrial.gov NCT01550679 retrospectively registered February 28, 2012.

Allergen-Specific IgE Measurement: Intermethod Comparison of Two Assay Systems in Diagnosing Clinical Allergy.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to examine the performance of IMMULITE 2000 assay for specific IgE (sIgE) by comparing it with ImmunoCAP technology in light of a clinical background. METHODS: Measurements of sIgE were done in a selected patient group (N = 569; varied sample size for each allergen) and in a random sample group (N = 100; 8 allergens). sIgE results were correlated with skin-prick test results (selected patients) and medical history (nonselected patients). RESULTS: We have detected fair to excellent correlation and agreement between the results of both assays, despite their methodological differences, both in selected and nonselected patient group (ρc = 0.431-0.976; ρc = 0.390-0.972, respectively). Associations of sIgE levels with skin-prick test (SPT) levels and medical history have shown significant correlation for both assays for majority of tested allergens, where applicable (D. pteronyssinus, cat dander, egg white, milk, peanut, orchard grass, Alternaria tenuis, and common ragweed in selected patients; birch, cat dander, common ragweed, D. pteronyssinus, and orchard grass in nonselected; P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Laboratory testing for sIgE can be successfully accomplished by IMMULITE 2000 immunoanalyzer at a diagnostic accuracy relative to SPT, comparable to the results acquired by CAP technology but not fully comparable on the level of an individual patient.

Diagnostic accuracy of a pocket screening spirometer in diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in general practice: a cross sectional validation study using tertiary care as a reference.

BACKGROUND: COPD-6™ is a lung function testing device for a rapid pre-spirometry testing to screen-out at-risk individuals not having COPD and indicating those at risk. The aim of this study was to validate COPD-6™ lung function testing (index test) in general practice in discriminating patients with COPD out of the population at risk - smokers/ex-smokers with no previous diagnosis of COPD, using measurements at tertiary care as reference standard. METHODS: Consecutive 227 subjects (115 women, 185 smokers/42 ex-smokers, ≥20 pack-years) with no previous diagnosis of COPD, aged 52.5 (SD 6.8) years from 26 general practitioners (GPs) were recruited, lung function tested with COPD-6™, referred to the tertiary institution for repeated COPD-6™ testing followed by spirometry with a bronchodilator (salbutamol), examination, and pulmonologist consultation for the diagnosis and severity of COPD. RESULTS: COPD was diagnosed in 43 subjects (18.9 %), with an AUC of 0.827 (95 % CI 0.769-0.875, P < 0.001) for the diagnosis of COPD when lung function was measured using COPD-6™ in GP's office with a specificity of 100 % (95 % CI, 97.95-100 %) but a very low sensitivity of 32.56 % (95 % CI, 20.49-47.48 %). Significant agreement for forced expiratory volume in 1 s measured at GP's office and at lung function lab was found (mean difference 0.01 L, p = 0.667) but not for other measured parameters (p < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Our study results point out that active case finding in a population at risk for COPD should be instituted (almost 20 % of undiagnosed COPD). Based on our results lung function testing with COPD-6™ can substitute spirometry testing in cases where it is not readily available to the patient/physician taken into account that the traditional FEV1/FEV6 cutoff value of <0.7 is not the only criterion for diagnosis and/or further referral. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01550679 Registered 28 September 2014, retrospectively registered.

Exhaled Breath Temperature as a Novel Marker of Future Development of COPD: Results of a Follow-Up Study in Smokers.

Although only less than one-third of smokers develop COPD, early marker(s) of COPD development are lacking. The aim of this research was to assess the ability of an average equilibrium exhaled breath temperature (EBT) in identifying susceptibility to cigarette smoke so as to predict COPD development in smokers at risk. The study was a part of a multicenter prospective cohort study in current smokers (N = 140, both sexes, 40-65 years, ≥20 pack-years) with no prior diagnosis of COPD. Diagnostic workup includes history, physical, quality of life, hematology and highly sensitive CRP, EBT before and after smoking a cigarette, lung function with bronchodilator test, and 6-minute walk test. Patients without a diagnosis of COPD and in GOLD 1 stage at initial assessment were reassessed after 2 years. COPD was additionally diagnosed based on lower level of normal (LLN) lung function criteria. Utility of EBT for disease progression was analyzed using receiver operator curve (ROC) and logistic regression analyses. Change in EBT after smoking a cigarette at initial visit (ΔEBT) was significantly predictive for disease progression (newly diagnosed COPD; newly diagnosed COPD + severity progression) after 2 years (p < 0.05 for both). ΔEBT had an AUC of 0.859 (p = 0.011) with sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 98.1% for newly diagnosed COPD using LLN criteria. We conclude that EBT shows potential for predicting the future development of COPD in current smokers. This was best seen using LLN to diagnose COPD, adding further evidence to question the use of GOLD criteria for diagnosing COPD.

Development and the initial validation of a new self-administered questionnaire for an early detection of health status changes in smokers at risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (MARKO questionnaire).

AIM: To develop and do an initial validation of a new simple tool (self-administered questionnaire) that would be sensitive and specific enough to detect early changes in smokers leading to future development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: 224 consecutive participants (50.9% women), with mean±standard deviation age of 52.3±6.7 years, 37.5±16.7 pack-years smoking history (85.8% active smokers), and no prior diagnosis of COPD were recruited. The MARKO questionnaire was self-administered twice; at the general practitioner's office and after 2-4 weeks at the tertiary care hospital. Participants were assessed for COPD by a pulmonologist after filling in a quality of life (QoL) questionnaires, history-taking, physical examination, lung function test, 6-minute walk test, and laboratory tests. They were divided into four subgroups: "healthy" smokers, symptomatic smokers, and smokers with mild and moderately severe COPD. RESULTS: Psychometric analyses indicated that the 18-item questionnaire had a very good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.91) and test-retest reliability for a four week period (c=0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-0.92, Lin's concordance). A significant correlations of MARKO scores were found with two QoL questionnaires; r=0.69 (P<0.001) and r=0.81 (P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.753 (95% CI 0.691-0.808, <0.001), with a sensitivity of 71.83% and specificity of 64.24% to discriminate "healthy" smokers from other subgroups. CONCLUSION: Based on psychometric analyses and high convergent validity correlation with already validated QoL questionnaires, the newly developed MARKO questionnaire was shown to be a reliable self-administered short health status assessment tool.

Urates in exhaled breath condensate as a biomarker of control in childhood asthma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to (1) investigate the possibility to use urates in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a biomarker of airway inflammation and control in childhood asthma and (2) explore their association with other biomarkers of airway inflammation and clinical indices of asthma control (Asthma Control Test [ACT], quality of life [PAQLQ], lung function, prn beta-agonist use, time from last exacerbation [TLE]. METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised 103 consecutive patients (age 6-18 years) divided in groups of uncontrolled ([NC], n = 53) and controlled asthma ([C], n = 50). Measured lung function and biomarkers included: spirometry, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), exhaled NO (FENO), pH and urates in EBC and exhaled breath temperature (EBT). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between groups for EBC urates, EBC pH and EBT (NC versus C: EBC urates, median [IQR], µmol/L; 10 [6] versus 45 [29], p < 0.001; EBC pH, mean [SD], 7.2 [0.17] versus 7.33 [0.16], p = 0.002; EBT mean [SD], °C; 34.26 [0.83], versus 33.90 [0.60], p = 0.014). EBC urates showed significant association with TLE and FENO (r = 0.518, p < 0.001; r = 0.369, p = 0.007, respectively) in NC, and EBC pH (r = 0.351, p < 0.001), FEV1 (r = 0.222, p = 0.024), ACT (r = 0.654, p < 0.001), PAQLQ (r = 0.686, p < 0.001) and prn salbutamol use (r = -0.527, p < 0.001) in all asthmatics. CONCLUSION: In our study, EBC urates were found to be the best single predictor of asthma control and underlying airway inflammation. Our results provide evidence supporting the potential utility to use EBC urates as an additional non-invasive biomarker of control in childhood asthma.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of headache in adolescents: a Croatian epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Headaches are often under-diagnosed in adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the one-year prevalence of primary headaches among high school students in the city of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. METHODS: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study. A total of 2350 questionnaires consisting of questions on demographic data, the presence and clinical characteristics of headaches were distributed among students in eight high schools; 2057 (87.5%) questionnaires were eligible for analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the students was 17.2 ± 1.2 years; 50.2% were female. The prevalence of recurrent headache was 30.1% (620/2057), girls 35.1%, boys 25.2%. Among students with headache, 291 (46.9%) had migraine, and 329 (53.1%) had tension-type headaches (TTHs). The mean frequency of headaches was 5.66 per month in girls and 4.42 in boys; mean duration of a headache attack was 8.94 hours in girls and 8.37 hours in boys (NS). Unilateral headache was present in 31.6%, throbbing quality in 22.6%, dull in 34.4% of students; 22.4% had severe intensity and 70.3% moderate. Nausea was present in 4.0% always and in 14.7% frequently (girls 18.8%), photophobia in 41.3%, phonophobia in 63.2%, osmophobia in 23.9% (NS among genders). Almost 30% of students were disabled and stayed at home, more frequently boys. Girls (33.4%) were more likely to take drugs for every attack; number per month was 3.7. The results of this study showed that the prevalence of migraine among adolescents in Croatia was 16.5% for girls and 11.8% for boys; the prevalence of TTH was 18.4% for girls and 13.4% for boys. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of self-reported headache among high school students in Zagreb is relatively high. Significant gender differences in frequency and clinical characteristics were observed. Primary headaches among adolescents are an important public health problem and should receive more attention from school and health authorities.

Lung diffusion capacity in children with respiratory symptoms and untreated GERD.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is associated with many respiratory disorders, among which, chronic cough, laryngitis, and asthma are among the most common. We investigated lung function, including gas diffusion capacity, in children with poor asthma control or chronic laryngitis with untreated GERD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 71 children, aged 6-17 years, with chronic respiratory and other symptoms suggestive for GERD, were enrolled and divided into 2 groups: chronic laryngitis and asthma. Participants underwent 24-hour pH monitoring and lung function assessment, measurement of single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurement. RESULTS: 24-hour pH monitoring was positive for GERD in 92.1% of preselected children with asthma and 90.1% of children with chronic recurrent laryngitis. All flows (PEF, MEF75, MEF50, and MEF25) were significantly lower in the asthma group, while FENO and DLCO were significantly lower in the laryngitis group. A significant inverse relationship was found between DLCO and all reflux indexes in the laryngitis group. Each unit change of Johnson-DeMeester score and Boix-Ochoa score increased the odds for significantly lower DLCO in laryngitis patients by 3.9% and 5.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In children with uncontrolled asthma and chronic laryngitis, the regurgitation of gastric contents due to GERD contributes to poor asthma control and aggravation of chronic laryngitis. Despite having normal lung function, the gas diffusion capacity should be controlled in patients with GERD and chronic laryngitis, and it might be the very first abnormality in distal airways.

[Exercise-induced asthma in athletes--a review]. / Astma potaknuta naporom u sportasa--pregledni clanak.

Elite athletes are often subjected to endurance training in the environment in which they are chronically exposed to pollutants/irritants, allergens or cold air. These factors lead to an increased risk of upper and lower respiratory tract dysfunction. The diagnosis of asthma is crucial in elite athletes because of potential implications on athlete's general well-being as well as their competitive ability. Symptoms of asthma in elite athletes are not necessarily associated with the classic features of asthma seen in general population. Other clinical entities can create symptoms similar to those of asthma and therefore can lead to an incorrect diagnosis and ineffective treatment. The diagnosis requires a combination of symptoms and positive laboratory tests. Currently, there is no evidence that the treatment of asthma in athletes should be different from the treatment of asthma in non-athletes. However, some specific issues need to be considered in the elite athletes, such as compliance with the rules of World Anti-Doping Agency and International Olympic Committee.

[The prevalence of symptoms of allergic diseases among younger school children in Medimurje County (ISAAC Phase I)]. / Prevalencija simptoma alergijskih bolesti u mlade skolske djece na podrucju Medimurske zupanije (ISAAC faza I).

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis/rhinoconjuctivitis and atopic eczema symptoms in the Medimurje County in Northwest Croatia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was undertaken between January and April 2005 among school children in 27 randomly selected elementary schools. Data were collected using standardized ISAAC written questionnaire Phase I. RESULTS: A total of 3106 children participated in the study (7-9 yrs) with response rate 96.94%. 712 (22.9%) children had symptoms of allergic diseases at some time in their life. Estimated lifetime (ever) prevalence rates of symptoms were: wheezing 14.91%, allergic rhinitis symptoms 8.88% and atopic dermatitis symptoms 10.66%. Estimated 12-month prevalence rates were: wheezing 6.92%, allergic rhinitis symptoms 8.40%, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis 4.67%, and atopic dermatitis symptoms 5.76%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that Medimurje County is an area with moderate prevalence of atopic disease symptoms among the pediatric population.

What is pre-COPD and do we know how to treat it?

INTRODUCTION: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The lung damage in COPD is associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airways and lung tissue to harmful particles or gases. Early detection and treatment of COPD can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. AREAS COVERED: Status of knowledge regarding early diagnosis, definition of pre-COPD, possible new tools for early diagnosis, possibilities of early treatment, and the results of studies in this population are discussed. Literature search (2014-2024) was done in PubMed, EMBASE, and WoS databases using the keywords COPD, early diagnosis, treatment, smoking, prevention; with additional search of literature in found articles. EXPERT OPINION: No early case-finding programs have been proposed or validated, so we still have many patients diagnosed in the late stage of the disease. Clinically manifest COPD is characterized as typically progressive and irreversible with current therapeutic options. If we aim to reduce the mortality and morbidity from COPD we should target these steps: Prevention; Early diagnosis; Form registries of persons at risk for COPD development; Diagnose preclinical COPD; and discover new preventive therapeutic interventions.

Current Challenges in Pediatric Asthma.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by reversible bronchoconstriction and inflammation of the bronchi. Its increasing prevalence in childhood as well as different triggers make asthma a challenging disease in several ways: defining its phenotype/endotype, the diagnostic approach (especially in younger children), therapeutic options, and systematic follow-up. Considering these problems, this review approaches the current status and limitations of guidelines used for asthma management in children. It also emphasizes the key points which could lead to a better understanding and the direction to take in future studies.

Sensitization profile in differential diagnosis: allergic asthma vs. chronic (nonspecific) cough syndrome.

BACKGROUND: In the subgroup of children with chronic cough, distinguishing children with allergic asthma from those with non-specific respiratory symptoms is difficult. We have focused on determination of diagnostic efficiency of serum total IgE, sIgE, and skin prick test in differentiation of asthmatic children from children with nonspecific respiratory symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 131 children with median age of 7.5 years were enrolled in study and divided into 2 groups; children with allergic asthma (N=71) and children with chronic cough (N=60). Participants underwent the standard allergological examination, including skin prick test and measurement of total IgE, and following 3 allergen-specific IgE antibodies against aeroallergens: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, and Phleum pratense. RESULTS: The percentage of patients with elevated level of total and sIgE was higher in children with allergic asthma than in children with chronic cough syndrome (P=0.0001). In children with asthma, sIgE had a better diagnostic value than total IgE. The best diagnostic efficiency of cut-off values for sIgE was shown for Der p sIgE. Skin prick test to all allergens had 78.82% sensitivity and 91.3% specificity in differentiating the 2 tested groups. The highest sensitivity and specificity in skin prick test was proved for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitization profile consisting of total IgE, sIgE levels, and SPT clearly distinguishes children with allergic asthma from children with chronic nonspecific cough, but still with overlap. Therefore, diagnosis should always be confirmed by a thorough allergy investigation.