Expert Recommendations on the Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in the United Arab Emirates.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, progressive, type 2 inflammatory esophageal disease presenting as dysphagia to solid food and non-obstructive food impaction. Knowledge gaps exist in its diagnosis and management. These expert recommendations focused on the diagnosis of EoE in the United Arab Emirates. An electronic search of PubMed and Embase databases was used to gather evidence from systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, consensus papers, and expert opinions from the last five years on the diagnosis of EoE. The evidence was graded using the Oxford system. Literature search findings were shared with the expert panel. A 5-point scale (strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree, and strongly disagree) was used, and a concordance rate of >75% among experts indicated agreement. Using a modified Delphi technique, 18 qualified experts provided 17 recommendations. Eleven statements achieved high agreement, four got moderate agreement, and two got low agreement. Challenges exist in diagnosing EoE, particularly in children. Esophageal biopsies were crucial in diagnosis, irrespective of visible mucosal changes. Further research on diagnostic tools like endoscopic mucosal impedance and biomarkers is needed. Diagnosis relies on esophageal biopsies and symptom-histology correlation; however, tools like EoE assessment questionnaires and endoscopic mucosal impedance could enhance the accuracy and efficiency of EoE diagnosis. The diagnosis of EoE is challenging since the symptoms seldom correlate with the histological findings. Currently, diagnosis is based on patient symptoms and endoscopic and histological findings. Further research into mucosal impedance tests and the role of biomarkers is needed to facilitate diagnosis.

Consensus on diagnosis and management of Hereditary Angioedema in the Middle East: A Delphi initiative.

Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE), a potentially life-threatening genetic disorder due to C1 inhibitor deficiency in most cases, is characterized by sudden and/or recurrent attacks of angioedema (subcutaneous/submucosal swellings). The global World Allergy Organization (WAO)/European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) International guideline for HAE management is comprehensive, but the implementation of this guideline may require regional adaptation considering the diversity in disease awareness, type of medical care systems, and access to diagnostics and treatment. The aim of this Delphi initiative was to build on the global guideline and provide regional adaptation to address the concerns and specific needs in the Middle East. Methods: The Consensus panel comprised 13 experts from the Middle East (3 from the United Arab Emirates, 3 from Saudi Arabia, 2 from Lebanon, 2 from Kuwait, 2 from Oman and 1 from Qatar) who have more than 2 decades of experience in allergy and immunology and are actively involved in managing HAE patients. The process that was carried out to reach the consensus recommendation included: 1.) A systematic literature review for articles related to HAE management using Ovid MEDLINE. 2.) The development of a questionnaire by an internationally acclaimed expert, with 10 questions specific to HAE management in the Middle East. 3.) Experts received the questionnaire via email individually and their answers were recorded (email/interview). 4.) A virtual consensus meeting was organized to discuss the questionnaire, make amends if needed, vote, and achieve consensus. Results: The questionnaire comprised 10 questions, each with 2 or more statements/recommendations on which the regional experts voted. A consensus was reached based on a 70% agreement between the participants. The key highlights include: 1) HAE experts in the Middle East emphasized the importance of a positive family history for arriving at a diagnosis of HAE. 2) The number of episodes per month or per 6-month period and severity should be used, together with other markers, to determine the need for prophylaxis. 3) Disease status should be monitored by periodic visits and the use of patient-reported outcome measures such as the angioedema activity score and the angioedema control test. 4) Attenuated androgens and tranexamic acid may be considered for long-term prophylaxis, if lanadelumab, C1-Inhibitor or berotralstat are not available. Conclusion: This consensus recommendation may help to educate healthcare practitioners in the Middle East and unify their approach to the diagnosis and management of HAE.

Modified oral metronidazole desensitization protocol.

The Center for Disease Control guidelines recommend desensitization to metronidazole in patients with trichomoniasis and hypersensitivity to metronidazole. There is only one published oral metronidazole desensitization protocol. The purpose of this study was to design a new, more gradual oral desensitization protocol to decrease systemic reactions that may occur when using the previously published protocol. We present two patients with presumed IgE-mediated allergy to metronidazole who underwent oral desensitization using our modified protocol. Case 1 was a 65-year-old woman with trichomoniasis who presented for metronidazole desensitization with a history of intraoperative anaphylaxis and positive skin tests to metronidazole. The patient tolerated six doses of the modified desensitization but developed systemic symptoms of nasal congestion and diffuse pruritus after the 25- and 100-mg doses. Both reactions were treated with intravenous (i.v.) antihistamines. Because of gastrointestinal irritation, the desensitization was completed at a dose of 250 mg orally every 6 hours. Case 2 was a 42-year-old woman with trichomoniasis and a history of hives immediately after administration of i.v. metronidazole who presented for desensitization. The patient had negative skin-prick and intradermal testing to metronidazole. She developed lip tingling and pruritus on her arms 15 minutes after the 10-mg dose. Fexofenadine at 180 mg was given orally and symptoms resolved. She tolerated the rest of the protocol without reaction and received a total dose of 2 g of metronidazole. Our oral metronidazole desensitization for presumed IgE-mediated reactions offers a second option for physicians wishing to use a more gradual escalation in dose.

Utility of routine laboratory testing in management of chronic urticaria/angioedema.

BACKGROUND: Laboratory tests are routinely ordered to identify or rule out a cause in patients with chronic urticaria/angioedema (CUA). The results of these tests are usually within normal limits or unremarkable. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proportion of abnormal test results in patients with CUA leading to a change in management and in outcomes of care. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a random sample of adult patients with CUA from 2001-2009. RESULTS: Cases totaled 356: 166 with urticaria and angioedema (AE), 187 with urticaria, and 3 with only AE. Patients were predominately women (69.1%) and white (75.6%), with a mean age of 48 ± 15 years. Abnormalities were commonly seen in complete blood counts (34%) and in complete metabolic panels (9.4%). Among the 1,872 tests that were ordered, results of 319 (17%) were abnormal. Of 356 patients, 30 underwent further testing because of abnormalities in laboratory work. This represented 30 of 1,872 tests (1.60%). Only 1 patient benefited from a subsequent change in management. CONCLUSIONS: Laboratory testing in CUA patients referred for an Allergy and Immunology evaluation rarely lead to changes in management resulting in improved outcomes of care.