Safety and efficacy profile and immunological changes associated with oral immunotherapy for IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy in children: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cow's milk allergy (CMA), one of the main types of childhood allergy, considerably impairs patient quality of life. Allergen avoidance is difficult, and mistakes are common. Therefore, new treatment strategies such as oral immunotherapy (OIT) have been sought for patients with CMA. Our objective was to review current evidence on immunological changes, efficacy, and safety when using OIT as an alternative to an avoidance diet in the treatment of children with IgE-mediated CMA. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and subsequent meta-analysis of all randomized controlled studies published to date in which OIT is used to treat CMA in children.We evaluated immunological effects, acquisition of desensitization, and adverse events. Immunological changes were examined by means of a meta-analysis of individual patient data. RESULTS: Desensitization using OIT to cow's milk is 10.2 times more likely than in non-0IT-treated patients. The decrease in cow's milk-specific IgE levels was found to differ by 8.1 kUA/L between OIT-treated patients and those on an avoidance diet. This difference was not statistically significant (P=.318). Although side effects are common, they usually involve mild reactions that are easy to manage without parenteral epinephrine. CONCLUSION: OIT can be considered safe and effective (in terms of acquiring desensitization) and reasonably safe (mild-to-moderate adverse events, little need for parenteral epinephrine) in patients with CMA. Although OIT leads to changes in cow's milk-specific IgE levels, the differences between OIT-treated and non-0IT-treated patients are not significant. More studies are needed to evaluate other immunological changes that may occur, such as the increase in IgG4 levels.

[Analysis of clinical safety in the units of Allergy of the Valencian Community]. / Análisis de la seguridad clínica en las unidades de Alergología de la Comunidad Valenciana.

The introduction of new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involving allergen exposure may increase the risk of allergic reactions. We designed and distributed an anonymous questionnaire among the allergy units of the Valencian Community in order to collect information on measures to ensure clinical safety. Twelve hospital outpatient clinics and 8 ambulatory care centres reported similar patterns of activities, including the use of critical care units, emergency rooms or day hospitals for higher risk techniques. The provision of security-related instruments is broader in hospital outpatient clinics and included: oxygen (91.7%), pulse oximeter (75.0%) or vital signs monitor (8.3%), resuscitation material (91.7%) and defibrillator (83.3%). The response time for emergencies is set in 50% of clinics. The resuscitation material is systematically reviewed and informed consent signed. Security is more limited in ambulatory care centres. It is necessary to set down the conditions for clinical safety in allergology. Key words. Allergy. Ambulatory care. Clinical safety. Health services. Hospital outpatient clinic.