Multidisciplinary Development and Initial Validation of a Clinical Knowledge Base on Chronic Respiratory Diseases for mHealth Decision Support Systems.

Most mobile health (mHealth) decision support systems currently available for chronic obstructive respiratory diseases (CORDs) are not supported by clinical evidence or lack clinical validation. The development of the knowledge base that will feed the clinical decision support system is a crucial step that involves the collection and systematization of clinical knowledge from relevant scientific sources and its representation in a human-understandable and computer-interpretable way. This work describes the development and initial validation of a clinical knowledge base that can be integrated into mHealth decision support systems developed for patients with CORDs. A multidisciplinary team of health care professionals with clinical experience in respiratory diseases, together with data science and IT professionals, defined a new framework that can be used in other evidence-based systems. The knowledge base development began with a thorough review of the relevant scientific sources (eg, disease guidelines) to identify the recommendations to be implemented in the decision support system based on a consensus process. Recommendations were selected according to predefined inclusion criteria: (1) applicable to individuals with CORDs or to prevent CORDs, (2) directed toward patient self-management, (3) targeting adults, and (4) within the scope of the knowledge domains and subdomains defined. Then, the selected recommendations were prioritized according to (1) a harmonized level of evidence (reconciled from different sources); (2) the scope of the source document (international was preferred); (3) the entity that issued the source document; (4) the operability of the recommendation; and (5) health care professionals' perceptions of the relevance, potential impact, and reach of the recommendation. A total of 358 recommendations were selected. Next, the variables required to trigger those recommendations were defined (n=116) and operationalized into logical rules using Boolean logical operators (n=405). Finally, the knowledge base was implemented in an intelligent individualized coaching component and pretested with an asthma use case. Initial validation of the knowledge base was conducted internally using data from a population-based observational study of individuals with or without asthma or rhinitis. External validation of the appropriateness of the recommendations with the highest priority level was conducted independently by 4 physicians. In addition, a strategy for knowledge base updates, including an easy-to-use rules editor, was defined. Using this process, based on consensus and iterative improvement, we developed and conducted preliminary validation of a clinical knowledge base for CORDs that translates disease guidelines into personalized patient recommendations. The knowledge base can be used as part of mHealth decision support systems. This process could be replicated in other clinical areas.

Physical exercise, immune response, and susceptibility to infections-current knowledge and growing research areas.

This review presents state-of-the-art knowledge and identifies knowledge gaps for future research in the area of exercise-associated modifications of infection susceptibility. Regular moderate-intensity exercise is believed to have beneficial effects on immune health through lowering inflammation intensity and reducing susceptibility to respiratory infections. However, strenuous exercise, as performed by professional athletes, may promote infection: in about half of athletes presenting respiratory symptoms, no causative pathogen can be identified. Acute bouts of exercise enhance the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, which may induce infection-like respiratory symptoms. Relatively few studies have assessed the influence of regularly repeated exercise on the immune response and systemic inflammation compared to the effects of acute exercise. Additionally, ambient and environmental conditions may modify the systemic inflammatory response and infection susceptibility, particularly in outdoor athletes. Both acute and chronic regular exercise influence humoral and cellular immune response mechanisms, resulting in decreased specific and non-specific response in competitive athletes. The most promising areas of further research in exercise immunology include detailed immunological characterization of infection-prone and infection-resistant athletes, examining the efficacy of nutritional and pharmaceutical interventions as countermeasures to infection symptoms, and determining the influence of various exercise loads on susceptibility to infections with respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. By establishing a uniform definition of an "elite athlete," it will be possible to make a comparable and straightforward interpretation of data from different studies and settings.

Diagnosis and management of allergy and respiratory disorders in sport: An EAACI task force position paper.

Allergy and respiratory disorders are common in young athletic individuals. In the context of elite sport, it is essential to secure an accurate diagnosis in order to optimize health and performance. It is also important, however, to consider the potential impact or consequences of these disorders, in recreationally active individuals engaging in structured exercise and/or physical activity to maintain health and well-being across the lifespan. This EAACI Task Force was therefore established, to develop an up-to-date, research-informed position paper, detailing the optimal approach to the diagnosis and management of common exercise-related allergic and respiratory conditions. The recommendations are informed by a multidisciplinary panel of experts including allergists, pulmonologists, physiologists and sports physicians. The report is structured as a concise, practically focussed document, incorporating diagnostic and treatment algorithms, to provide a source of reference to aid clinical decision-making. Throughout, we signpost relevant learning resources to consolidate knowledge and understanding and conclude by highlighting future research priorities and unmet needs.

EAACI position paper on the clinical use of the bronchial allergen challenge: Unmet needs and research priorities.

Allergic asthma (AA) is a common asthma phenotype, and its diagnosis requires both the demonstration of IgE-sensitization to aeroallergens and the causative role of this sensitization as a major driver of asthma symptoms. Therefore, a bronchial allergen challenge (BAC) would be occasionally required to identify AA patients among atopic asthmatics. Nevertheless, BAC is usually considered a research tool only, with existing protocols being tailored to mild asthmatics and research needs (eg long washout period for inhaled corticosteroids). Consequently, existing BAC protocols are not designed to be performed in moderate-to-severe asthmatics or in clinical practice. The correct diagnosis of AA might help select patients for immunomodulatory therapies. Allergen sublingual immunotherapy is now registered and recommended for controlled or partially controlled patients with house dust mite-driven AA and with FEV1 ≥ 70%. Allergen avoidance is costly and difficult to implement for the management of AA, so the proper selection of patients is also beneficial. In this position paper, the EAACI Task Force proposes a methodology for clinical BAC that would need to be validated in future studies. The clinical implementation of BAC could ultimately translate into a better phenotyping of asthmatics in real life, and into a more accurate selection of patients for long-term and costly management pathways.

Alpine altitude climate treatment for severe and uncontrolled asthma: An EAACI position paper.

Currently available European Alpine Altitude Climate Treatment (AACT) programs combine the physical characteristics of altitude with the avoidance of environmental triggers in the alpine climate and a personalized multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation approach. The reduced barometric pressure, oxygen pressure, and air density, the relatively low temperature and humidity, and the increased UV radiation at moderate altitude induce several physiological and immunological adaptation responses. The environmental characteristics of the alpine climate include reduced aeroallergens such as house dust mites (HDM), pollen, fungi, and less air pollution. These combined factors seem to have immunomodulatory effects controlling pathogenic inflammatory responses and favoring less neuro-immune stress in patients with different asthma phenotypes. The extensive multidisciplinary treatment program may further contribute to the observed clinical improvement by AACT in asthma control and quality of life, fewer exacerbations and hospitalizations, reduced need for oral corticosteroids (OCS), improved lung function, decreased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), improved exercise tolerance, and improved sinonasal outcomes. Based on observational studies and expert opinion, AACT represents a valuable therapy for those patients irrespective of their asthma phenotype, who cannot achieve optimal control of their complex condition despite all the advances in medical science and treatment according to guidelines, and therefore run the risk of falling into a downward spiral of loss of physical and mental health. In the light of the observed rapid decrease in inflammation and immunomodulatory effects, AACT can be considered as a natural treatment that targets biological pathways.

Real-life impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on the management of pediatric and adult asthma: A survey by the EAACI Asthma Section.

BACKGROUND: The restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic impact heavily the management of chronic diseases like asthma. This study aimed to evaluate the management of adults and children with asthma during COVID-19-related lockdown. METHODS: A survey was launched by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) via e-mail, website, and social media to EAACI members and members of peer societies. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 339 healthcare professionals from 52 countries. 79% of follow-up consultations were replaced by phone calls, whereas 49% of newly referred patients attended the clinic. 62%, 76%, 66%, 76%, and 87% of responders did not conduct spirometry, impulse oscillometry, bronchodilator test, FeNO, or methacholine provocation, respectively, for asthma diagnosis in adults. The numbers were similar for children. 73% of responders based the initial asthma diagnosis and the prescription of inhaled therapy on clinical parameters only. Lung function tests were used in 29% of cases to monitor asthma worsening, and only 56% of participants were recommended to their patients ambulatory peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements. Using a 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much) scale, the responders considered that the quality of healthcare provided and the patients' asthma status had deteriorated during the lockdown with 3.2 points and 2.8 points, respectively. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these results suggest that all necessary resources should be allocated to ensure the performance of lung function tests for initial diagnosis, whereas digital remote monitoring should be reinforced for the follow-up of children and adults with asthma.

Health effects of exposure to chlorination by-products in swimming pools.

Concerns have been raised regarding the potential negative effects on human health of water disinfectants used in swimming pools. Among the disinfection options, the approaches using chlorine-based products have been typically preferred. Chlorine readily reacts with natural organic matter that are introduced in the water mainly through the bathers, leading to the formation of potentially harmful chlorination by-products (CBPs). The formation of CBPs is of particular concern since some have been epidemiologically associated with the development of various clinical manifestations. The higher the concentration of volatile CBPs in the water, the higher their concentration in the air above the pool, and different routes of exposure to chemicals in swimming pools (water ingestion, skin absorption, and inhalation) contribute to the individual exposome. Some CBPs may affect the respiratory and skin health of those who stay indoor for long periods, such as swimming instructors, pool staff, and competitive swimmers. Whether those who use chlorinated pools as customers, particularly children, may also be affected has been a matter of debate. In this article, we discuss the current evidence regarding the health effects of both acute and chronic exposures in different populations (work-related exposures, intensive sports, and recreational attendance) and identify the main recommendations and unmet needs for research in this area.

Tackling nasal symptoms in athletes: Moving towards personalized medicine.

Adequate nasal breathing is indispensable for athletes, and nasal symptoms have been shown to interfere with their subjective feeling of comfortable breathing and quality of life. Nasal symptoms are caused by either structural abnormalities or mucosal pathology. Structural pathologies are managed differently from mucosal disease, and therefore, adequate diagnosis is of utmost importance in athletes in order to choose the correct treatment option for the individual. Literature suggests that nasal symptoms are more prevalent in athletes compared to the general population and certain sports environments might even trigger the development of symptoms. Given the high demands of respiratory function in athletes, insight into triggering factors is of high importance for disease prevention. Also, it has been suggested that athletes are more neglectful to their symptoms and hence remain undertreated, meaning that special attention should be paid to education of athletes and their caregivers. This review aims at giving an overview of nasal physiology in exercise as well as the possible types of nasal pathology. Additionally, diagnostic and treatment options are discussed and we focus on unmet needs for the management and prevention of these symptoms in athletes within the concept of precision medicine.

Heterogeneity of pollen food allergy syndrome in seven Southern European countries: The @IT.2020 multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is a frequently underdiagnosed disease due to diverse triggers, clinical presentations, and test results. This is especially relevant in geographic areas with a broad spectrum of pollen sensitization, such as Southern Europe. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate similarities and differences of PFAS in nine Southern European centers and identify associated characteristics and unique markers of PFAS. METHODS: As part of the @IT.2020 Multicenter Study, 815 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), aged 10-60 years, were recruited in seven countries. They completed questionnaires regarding SAR, comorbidities, family history, and PFAS, and underwent skin prick testing (SPT) and serum IgE testing. RESULTS: Of the 815 patients, 167 (20.5%) reported PFAS reactions. Most commonly, eliciting foods were kiwi (58, 34.7%), peach (43, 25.7%), and melon (26, 15.6%). Reported reactions were mostly local (216/319, 67.7%), occurring within 5 min of contact with elicitors (209/319, 65.5%). Associated characteristics included positive IgE to at least one panallergen (profilin, PR-10, or nsLTP) (p = 0.007), maternal PFAS (OR: 3.716, p = 0.026), and asthma (OR: 1.752, p = 0.073). Between centers, heterogeneity in prevalence (Marseille: 7.5% vs. Rome: 41.4%, p < 0.001) and of clinical characteristics was apparent. Cypress played a limited role, with only 1/22 SPT mono-sensitized patients reporting a food reaction (p < 0.073). CONCLUSIONS: PFAS is a frequent comorbidity in Southern European SAR patients. Significant heterogeneity of clinical characteristics in PFAS patients among the centers was observed and may be related to the different pollen sensitization patterns in each geographic area. IgE to panallergen(s), maternal PFAS, and asthma could be PFAS-associated characteristics.

The EAACI-AAAAI-WAO Junior Members' joint survey: A worldwide snapshot of Allergy and Clinical Immunology specialty.

BACKGROUND: Education and training in Allergy and Clinical Immunology (A/I) are characterized by a great variability worldwide. However, objective and worldwide data regarding this topic are lacking. METHODS: To investigate personal information, education, and involvement in scientific societies of juniors engaged in A/I field, a questionnaire was developed by representatives from the JMs' boards of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), and the World Allergy Organization (WAO). RESULTS: A total of 543 questionnaires were collected from 76 regions of all continents. The geographic distribution of responders was as follows: Africa-Middle East 3.0%, Asia-Pacific 21.4%, Europe 48.2%, Latin America 12.1%, and North America 15.3%. 59.0% of responders declared that A/I is recognized as a separate specialty in their country, Europe mostly accounting for that proportion. Primary interest in the field represents the main motivation for choosing A/I specialty. Concerning involvement in scientific societies, 41.1% of responders ever attended an EAACI Congress, 20.6% an AAAAI Congress, and 20.4% a WAO Congress. According to 40.3% of responders, scientific societies do not provide enough opportunities for young members, and 96.4% believes in a more intensive cooperation between the A/I Societies. CONCLUSIONS: The survey provides the first worldwide perspective about A/I specialty. It represents the first ever example of a structured collaboration between the junior members (JMs) of the three main A/I Societies. The findings suggest the need for harmonization, at least in terms of training and formation in the field of A/I worldwide.

"Whole" vs. "fragmented" approach to EAACI pollen season definitions: A multicenter study in six Southern European cities.

BACKGROUND: The adequate definition of pollen seasons is essential to facilitate a correct diagnosis, treatment choice, and outcome assessment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. A position paper by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) proposed season definitions for Northern and Middle Europe. OBJECTIVE: To test the pollen season definitions proposed by EAACI in six Mediterranean cities for seven pollen taxa. METHODS: As part of the @IT.2020 multi-center study, pollen counts for Poaceae, Oleaceae, Fagales, Cupressaceae, Urticaceae (Parietaria spp.), and Compositae (Ambrosia spp., Artemisia spp.) were collected from January 1 to December 31, 2018. Based on these data, pollen seasons were identified according to EAACI criteria. A unified monitoring period for patients in AIT trials was created and assessed for feasibility. RESULTS: The analysis revealed a great heterogeneity between the different locations in terms of pattern and length of the examined pollen seasons. Further, we found a fragmentation of pollen seasons in several segments (max. 8) separated by periods of low pollen counts (intercurrent periods). Potential monitoring periods included often many recording days with low pollen exposure (max. 341 days). CONCLUSION: The Mediterranean climate leads to challenging pollen exposure times. Monitoring periods for AIT trials based on existing definitions may include many intermittent days with low pollen concentrations. Therefore, it is necessary to find an adapted pollen season definition as individual solution for each pollen and geographical area.

Oxidative stress in asthmatic and non-asthmatic adolescent swimmers-A breathomics approach.

We hypothesize that oxidative stress induced by trichloramine exposure during swimming could be related to etiopathogenesis of asthma among elite swimmers. AIM: To investigate the effect of a swimming training session on oxidative stress markers of asthmatic compared to non-asthmatic elite swimmers using exhaled breath (EB) metabolomics. METHODS: Elite swimmers annually screened in our department (n=27) were invited and those who agreed to participate (n=20, of which 9 with asthma) had EB collected (Tedlar® bags) before and after a swimming training session. SPME fiber (DVB/CAR/PDMS) was used to extract EB metabolites followed by a multidimensional gas chromatography analysis (GC×GC-ToFMS). Dataset comprises eight metabolites end products of lipid peroxidation: five aliphatic alkanes (nonane, 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethylheptane, decane, dodecane, and tetradecane) and three aldehydes (nonanal, decanal, and dodecanal). To assess exercise impact on lipid peroxidation markers, data were analyzed using principle component analysis (PCA), which was run on the original data set and on the data set constructed using differences in the metabolite total areas before and after exercise session. RESULTS: Heatmap representation revealed that metabolites content decreased after exercise, both for control and asthma groups; however, the greater decrease was observed for controls. Asthmatics and controls did not form separated clusters; however, control swimmers demonstrated a more varied response to the exercise being dispersed along all score plot. CONCLUSION: In well-trained athletes, swimming is associated with a decrease in oxidative stress markers independently of the presence of asthma, although a more pronounced decrease was seen in controls.

Exhaled breath temperature in elite swimmers: The effects of a training session in adolescents with or without asthma.

BACKGROUND: Cooling of the airways and inflammation have been pointed as possible mechanisms for exercise-induced asthma (EIA). We aimed to investigate the effect of training and asthma on exhaled breath temperature (EBT) of elite swimmers. METHODS: Elite swimmers annually screened (skin prick tests, spirometry before and after salbutamol inhalation, induced sputum cell counts, and methacholine bronchial challenge) at our department (n = 27) were invited to this prospective study. Swimmers who agreed to participate in the present study (n = 22, 10 with asthma) had axillary temperature and EBT measured (X-halo(®) ) before and after a swimming training session (aerobic/non-aerobic). Linear regression models were used to assess the effect of asthma and other possible explanatory variables (demographics, PD20 , baseline EBT, training intensity, axillary temperature, and the number of hours trained in that week) on EBT change. RESULTS: EBT significantly increased after training independently of lung function, airway responsiveness, and inflammation in all swimmers (mean ± SD: 0.32 ± 0.57; p = 0.016). No differences were observed between asthmatic swimmers and others. A significant correlation was observed between baseline and post-exercise EBTs (r = 0.827, p < 0.001). Asthma was not a predictor of ΔEBT after adjusting for confounders; baseline EBT was the variable most strongly associated with ΔEBT, explaining by itself alone 46% of the outcome (r(2) = 0.464). CONCLUSION: Although these are preliminary data, a relationship between airway's inflammation and respiratory heat loss during exercise could not be confirmed, suggesting that the increase in exhaled breath temperature is a physiologic rather than a pathological response to exercise.

Two distinct phenotypes of asthma in elite athletes identified by latent class analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Clusters of asthma in athletes have been insufficiently studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize asthma phenotypes in elite athletes using latent class analysis (LCA) and to evaluate its association with the type of sport practiced. METHODS: In the present cross-sectional study, an analysis of athletes' records was carried out in databases of the Portuguese National Anti-Doping Committee and the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. Athletes with asthma, diagnosed according to criteria given by the International Olympic Committee, were included for LCA. Sports practiced were categorized into water, winter and other sports. RESULTS: Of 324 files screened, 150 files belonged to asthmatic athletes (91 Portuguese; 59 Norwegian). LCA retrieved two clusters: "atopic asthma" defined by allergic sensitization, rhinitis and allergic co-morbidities and increased exhaled nitric oxide levels; and "sports asthma", defined by exercise-induced respiratory symptoms and airway hyperesponsiveness without allergic features. The risk of developing the phenotype "sports asthma" was significantly increased in athletes practicing water (OR = 2.87; 95% CI [1.82-4.51]) and winter (OR = 8.65; 95% CI [2.67-28.03]) sports, when compared with other athletes. CONCLUSION: Two asthma phenotypes were identified in elite athletes: "atopic asthma" and "sports asthma". The type of sport practiced was associated with different phenotypes: water and winter sport athletes had three- and ninefold increased risk of "sports asthma". Recognizing different phenotypes is clinically relevant as it would lead to distinct targeted treatments.

Integrin α E ß 7 (CD103) expression in bronchoalveolar lymphocytes of patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

PURPOSE: CD4+/CD8+ ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) often retrieves contradictory findings when used for diagnosis of sarcoidosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), so CD103+ has been investigated as a possible differential marker. We aimed to compare CD103+ expression in BALF T-lymphocytes between patients with HP, sarcoidosis and other interstitial lung diseases (ILD). METHODS: An observational study carried out over a 2-year period included consecutive patients with suspected ILD who underwent BALF as part of their initial diagnostic work-up; CD103+ expression on BALF T-lymphocytes was evaluated. After a final diagnosis established according to international criteria, three patient subgroups-HP, ILD (which included idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and connective tissue disease-associated lung disorders) and sarcoidosis-were considered for further analysis. RESULTS: A total of 77 subjects were enrolled, 20 with HP, 16 with other ILD and 41 with sarcoidosis. A significantly higher number of CD4+ CD103+ and CD8+ CD103+ lymphocytes were found in HP patients. Among patients with sarcoidosis, 12 (29.3 %) presented a BALF CD4+/CD8+ <3.5, all of them with histological confirmation. Compared to these patients, also statistically significant higher CD4+ CD103+ counts in HP patients were observed (p = 0.007). Among HP patients, although bird fanciers (n = 14) presented higher percentages of both CD4+ CD103+ and CD8+ CD103+ T-lymphocytes than those with work-related HP (n = 5), the differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HP present significantly higher counts of CD103+ T-lymphocytes in BALF, both in the CD4+ and CD8+ subsets, when compared to sarcoidosis, even with sarcoidosis subgroup presenting a BALF CD4+/CD8+ <3.5. The expression of CD103 may help in the interpretation of BALF data in these diffuse granulomatous lung disorders.

Impact of changes in anti-doping regulations (WADA Guidelines) on asthma care in athletes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how changes to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines on asthma medication requests have impacted the management of asthmatic athletes in Portugal. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of asthma medication requests submitted in 2008 to 2010. SETTING: Portuguese Anti-Doping Authority database. PARTICIPANTS: Athletes requesting the use of inhaled corticosteroids and/or ß2-agonists. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: Demographic, therapeutic, and diagnostic test data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Yearly changes in number of asthma medication requests and diagnostic procedures. RESULTS: We analyzed 326 requests: 173 abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) in 2008 (objective tests not required), 9 Declaration of Use (DoU) and 76 TUEs in 2009, and 39 DoU and 29 TUEs in 2010. Spirometry was performed in 87% and 37% of athletes in 2009 and 2010, respectively; the corresponding figures for bronchoprovocation were 59% and 16%, almost all positive in both years. CONCLUSIONS: Applications for inhaler use have decreased by approximately half since objective asthma testing became mandatory. Our findings show that WADA guidelines have an impact on asthmatic athletes care: In 2009 a more rigorous screening was possible, leading to withdrawal of unnecessary medication. Constant changes, however, jeopardize this achievement and nowadays introduce safety issues stemming from the unsupervised use of inhaled ß2-agonists.

Husbandry practices associated with extensification in European pig production and their effects on pork quality.

This review has been developed as part of the mEATquality project with the main objective to examine the types of extensification practices used in European pig husbandry and their effect on intrinsic meat quality. Literature search has resulted in 679 references in total, from which 53 showed a strict compliance with the goals of this review: 1) the use of local European breeds and their crossbreds (22 papers); 2) addition of forage to diet (9 papers); 3) increased space allowance (3 papers); 4) enrichment of environment (19 papers). The evaluation of selected extensification factors showed that not all of them have a clear impact on meat quality, and are often confounded. The most clear differences were observed when comparing autochthonous with commercial breeds, and systems with access to pastures or woodlands vs. indoor housing. Despite many studies focusing on the extensification of husbandry practices, some of the factors cannot be confirmed to have a direct effect on pork intrinsic quality.

A systematic review of statin efficacy in asthma.

BACKGROUND: Statins are known for their lipid-lowering effects and role in the treatment of atherosclerotic disease. They also have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties which could benefit asthma patients. We aimed to review the evidence on the efficacy and safety of statins in asthma-related outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature on the effects of statins on asthma-related outcomes was performed following a search of the National Guideline Clearinghouse, Cochrane, Scopus, and Pubmed Medline databases in January 2012. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (cohort/case-control design) assessing the effect of statins were included. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to rate the levels of evidence and grade of recommendation. RESULTS: Twenty-four of the 379 articles retrieved electronically and one article identified by hand search were selected for full-text scrutiny by two independent reviewers. Eight studies were included: six RCTs and two observational studies. Statin use was not associated with consistent, statistical significant improvements in patient outcomes (asthma control, quality of life, steroid-sparing effects) or disease outcomes (lung function, airway responsiveness), and all the studies analyzed had low or very low quality of evidence. Inflammatory outcome improvements were observed in mild allergic asthma. CONCLUSION: Statins do not seem to have any additional benefit in asthma control or steroid-sparing effect in asthma treatment. Considering the prevalence of both statin use and asthma, more, better designed studies are needed to determine whether a specific phenotype of asthma exists that could benefit from statin treatment.

Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) correlates with eosinophil cell counts in the induced sputum of elite swimmers.

Introduction: Swimming practice has been associated with eosinophilic inflammation, however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in induced sputum may be used as a potential biomarker to assess airway eosinophilic inflammation among elite swimmers. The objective of this study is to characterize ECP levels in sputum supernatant in elite swimmers and evaluate ECP as an eosinophilic inflammatory marker. Material and methods: Elite swimmers annually screened in our department (n = 27) were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Swimmers who agreed to participate (n = 24, 46% girls) performed lung function and skin-prick tests. Induced sputum was also collected and analyzed for differential cell counts and ECP measurements in sputum supernatant (ImmunoCAPTM 100, ECP, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Uppsala, Sweden). Results: The median ECP level was 15.60 µg/L (6.02-38.75 µg/L) and higher levels were found among boys (27.90 (11.20-46.30) µg/L vs 6.65 (2.82-22.80) µg/L, P = .02). In addition, ECP levels in the sputum supernatant were positively correlated with eosinophil cell counts in the induced sputum (r = 0.583, P = .08). Conclusions: ECP levels correlated positively with eosinophil counts in the induced sputum in elite swimmers. The measurement of ECP in sputum supernatant may be a useful marker to assess and manage eosinophilic inflammatory changes in the airways of elite swimmers.