Hypertension among adults living in Haiti: An integrative review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine what is known about hypertension among adults living in Haiti. BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the leading cause of morbidity, the identified cause of heart failure in 45% of patients and is associated with more than 70% of cardiovascular disease-related hospital admissions in Haiti. DESIGN: An integrative review of the literature. METHODS: Searching four databases from 2007 to 2018, Whittemore and Knafl's method was used to review the literature. Three nurse researchers independently reviewed and appraised each publication applying the Johns Hopkins Evidence-based Practice Appraisal tool. RESULTS: Eight publications were identified and appraised for level and quality of evidence. The synthesis of the literature yielded common themes of (i) high prevalence of hypertension among adults living in rural areas, (ii) public health challenges, (iii) lack of knowledge and awareness of hypertension and (iv) barriers to effective treatment. CONCLUSION: Hypertension is a highly prevalent disease in Haiti that is understudied and warrants attention. To better serve this vulnerable population, culturally tailored prevention strategies and disease management programmes are recommended. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: There is a lack of quality evidence to guide nurses in the management of hypertension for this vulnerable population. Identification of barriers to effective treatment among this underserved population will assist nurses and other healthcare professionals in identifying best possible practices for patient care in clinical settings across Haiti.

House dust mite sublingual immunotherapy: results of a US trial.

BACKGROUND: Few trials of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in the United States have been reported. OBJECTIVE: This randomized, placebo-controlled feasibility SLIT study compared the safety and physiologic effects of high- versus low-dose Dermatophagoides farinae vaccine. METHODS: Thirty-one D farinae-sensitive adults with allergic rhinitis with or without mild intermittent asthma were eligible for randomization to high-dose maintenance vaccine (n = 10, 4200 allergen units [approximately 70 µg of Der f 1/d]), low-dose maintenance vaccine (n = 10; 60 allergen units [approximately 1 µg of Der f 1/d]), or placebo (n = 11) over 12 to 18 months. Medication-symptom scores and adverse events were monitored, serum D farinae-specific IgE and IgG4 levels were measured, and bronchial reactivity to D farinae was determined at baseline and 6-month intervals. RESULTS: Of the 31 randomized subjects, 6 withdrew because of non-treatment-ascribed events. Four withdrew because of treatment-ascribed effects: high-dose group, 1 of 10 (gastrointestinal symptoms); low-dose group, 1 of 10 (gastrointestinal symptoms); and placebo group, 2 of 11 (headache and increased nasal symptoms). Thus 21 subjects completed the study: high-dose group, 9; low-dose group, 7; and placebo group, 5. Eleven of the 21 subjects experienced mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal symptoms, throat irritation, or both (high-dose group, 5/9; low-dose group, 4/7; and placebo group, 2/5). No severe systemic reactions were noted. No differences in symptom-medication scores were found. High-dose SLIT increased the bronchial threshold to allergen challenge and increased serum D farinae-specific IgG4 levels, whereas low-dose SLIT and placebo had no significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose D farinae SLIT was generally tolerable, increased serum D farinae-specific IgG4 levels, and improved the bronchial threshold to allergen challenge. Larger US trials are warranted.