Transfer of innovation on allergic rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity in the elderly (MACVIA-ARIA) - EIP on AHA Twinning Reference Site (GARD research demonstration project).

The overarching goals of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) are to enable European citizens to lead healthy, active and independent lives whilst ageing. The EIP on AHA includes 74 Reference Sites. The aim of this study was to transfer innovation from an app developed by the MACVIA-France EIP on AHA reference site (Allergy Diary) to other reference sites. The phenotypic characteristics of rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity in adults and the elderly will be compared using validated information and communication technology (ICT) tools (i.e. the Allergy Diary and CARAT: Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test) in 22 Reference Sites or regions across Europe. This will improve the understanding, assessment of burden, diagnosis and management of rhinitis in the elderly by comparison with an adult population. Specific objectives will be: (i) to assess the percentage of adults and elderly who are able to use the Allergy Diary, (ii) to study the phenotypic characteristics and treatment over a 1-year period of rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity at baseline (cross-sectional study) and (iii) to follow-up using visual analogue scale (VAS). This part of the study may provide some insight into the differences between the elderly and adults in terms of response to treatment and practice. Finally (iv) work productivity will be examined in adults.

Clinical and immunological features of common variable immunodeficiency in Mexican patients.

BACKGROUND: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is characterised by hypogammaglobulinaemia and a broad clinical spectrum, mainly showing recurrent bacterial infections accompanied sometimes by increased susceptibility to chronic lung disease, autoimmunity, and neoplastic diseases. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical and immunological characteristics of patients with CVID in Mexico. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 43 patients with CVID from the Immunology Division of seven different reference centres in Mexico. Patients were diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria of the European Society for Immunodeficiency Diseases. We collected demographics, clinical and immunological data from each patient and a statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: There were 23 (53.5%) male and 20 (46.5%) female patients. Median age at onset of disease was 13.7 years, and median age at diagnosis was 19 years. Average delay in diagnosis was 12.5 years. The median total serum levels of IgG, IgM, and IgA at diagnosis were 175, 18, and 17.8mg/dL, respectively. The mean percentage of CD19+ B cells was 8.15%. Sinusitis (83%), pneumonia (83%), gastrointestinal infection (70%), and acute otitis media (49%) were the most common manifestations. Bronchiectasis was present in 51% of the patients, 44% manifested non-infectious chronic diarrhoea, and 70% experienced weight loss. Autoimmunity was present in 23% of the patients; haemolytic anaemia and autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura were the most common presentations. Allergy was present in 30.2% of patients, with allergic rhinitis and asthma being the most frequent types. Two patients developed malignancy. All the patients received Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as a fundamental part of the treatment at a mean dose of 408mg/kg. CONCLUSION: This is the first cohort of CVID reported in Mexico We found that infection diseases were the most frequent presentations at onset. Moreover, patients had an average diagnosis delay of twelve years and thus a major prevalence of bronchiectasis. We suggest performing an extended analysis of patients with CVID patients in other Latin American countries.