Prevalence of Asthma and Its Associating Environmental Factors among 6-12-Year-Old Schoolchildren in a Metropolitan Environment-A Cross-Sectional, Questionnaire-Based Study.

We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of asthma and its associating environmental factors within a 6-12-year-old population. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted in primary schools located in the capital of Hungary; 3836 eligible parent-reported questionnaires were evaluated. Besides the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phase three core questions for asthma, the survey also assessed various potential risk factors. We introduced the umbrella term cumulative asthma as the union of physician-diagnosed asthma and current wheezing to estimate the lifetime prevalence of asthma. Current wheezing and physician-diagnosed asthma showed a frequency of 9.5% and 6.3%, respectively. They contributed to a cumulative asthma prevalence of 12.6% among the sampled population, with a girl-boy percentage of 37.4% to 62.6%. Air-pollution and weedy areas were associated with greater risk for asthma, while a suburban residence showed lesser odds. Indoor smoking, visible mold, and keeping a dog were defined as risk factors for asthma, while the presence of plants in the bedroom and pet rodents were associated with lower odds ratios. The consumption of fast food, beverages containing additives and margarine were significantly higher in asthmatics, while we found frequent sport activity and cereal intake associated with lower odds ratios for asthma. In this urban environment, we identified an increased asthma prevalence compared to some previously published studies, but the cross-sectional design and the different methodology did not permit us to draw timeframe-dependent conclusions.

Prevalence of allergic rhinitis, related comorbidities and risk factors in schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis and related comorbidities in school-age children in Budapest, capital of Hungary. Data and epidemiological studies on this disease are still limited. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted in 21 representative and randomly selected primary schools in 2019. International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood-based questionnaires (n = 6869) inquiring about prevalence and related risk factors of allergic rhinitis were distributed to all parents. The data were characterised with standard descriptive statistics: frequencies (percentages) and means for categorical and quantitative data, respectively. RESULTS: 3836 of the questionnaires (1857 M/1979F) were completed. The prevalence of current allergic rhinitis was 29.3% (1043), physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis was 9.7% (373), cumulative allergic rhinitis was 36.2% (1289) and current allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was 16.2% (577). The presence of physician diagnosed atopic disease-asthma (p < 0.0001, OR = 4.398, 95% CI 3.356-5.807), food allergy (p < 0.0001, OR = 2.594, 95% CI 1.995-3.378), and eczema (p < 0.0001, OR = 1.899, 95% CI 1.568-2.300)-were significantly related to an increased risk of cumulative allergic rhinitis. Significant factors associated with allergic rhinitis include male gender (p < 0.0001), family history of atopy (p < 0.0001), frequent upper respiratory tract infections (p < 0.0001), tonsillectomy (p = 0.0054), antibiotics given in the first year of life (p < 0.0001), paracetamol given in the first year of life (p = 0.0038), long-lasting common infections caused by viruses and/or bacteria before the appearance of the allergy (p < 0.0001), consumption of drinks containing preservatives or colourants (p = 0.0023), duration of living in Budapest (p = 0.0386), smoking at home (p = 0.0218), smoking at home in the first year of life (p = 0.0048), birds at home (p = 0.0119), birds at home in the first year of life (p = 0.0052), visible mould in the bedroom (p = 0.0139), featherbedding (p = 0.0126), frequent or constant heavy-vehicle traffic (p = 0.0039), living in a weedy area (p < 0.0001) and living in the vicinity of an air-polluting factory or mine (p = 0.0128). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in 6-12-year-old children in Budapest is higher than reported for most of the surrounding European countries. While asthma (OR = 4.398) is the most significant comorbidity, environmental factors such as birds at home in the first year of life (OR = 2.394) and living in a weedy area (OR = 1.640) seem to be the most important factors associated with AR. Strategies for preventive measures should be implemented. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: KUT-19/2019. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee at Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute.

Investigation of circulating lncRNAs as potential biomarkers in chronic respiratory diseases.

BACKGROUND: In the present study the blood expression level of inflammatory response and autoimmunity associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were compared in patients with different chronic respiratory diseases and investigated whether they could be used as biomarkers in these diseases. METHODS: In the discovery cohort, the gene expression level of 84 lncRNAs were measured in the blood of 24 adult patients including healthy controls and patients with asthma and COPD. In the replication cohort the expression of 6 selected lncRNAs were measured in 163 subjects including healthy controls and adults with allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD and children with asthma. It was evaluated whether these lncRNAs can be used as diagnostic biomarkers for any studied disease. With systems biology analysis the biological functions of the selected lncRNAs were predicted. RESULTS: In the discovery cohort, the mean expression of 27 lncRNAs showed nominally significant differences in at least one comparison. OIP5-AS1, HNRNPU, RP11-325K4.3, JPX, RP11-282O18.3, MZF1-AS1 were selected for measurement in the replication cohort. Three lncRNAs (HNRNPU, RP11-325K4.3, JPX) expressed significantly higher in healthy children than in adult controls. All the mean expression level of the 6 lncRNAs differed significantly between adult allergic rhinitis patients and controls. RP11-325K4.3, HNRNPU and OIP5-AS1 expressed higher in allergic asthma than in non-allergic asthma. COPD and asthma differed in the expression of RP11-325K4.3 from each other. In examining of the lncRNAs as biomarkers the weighted accuracy (WA) values were especially high in the comparison of healthy controls and patients with allergic rhinitis. OIP5-AS1 and JPX achieved 0.98 and 0.9 WA values, respectively, and the combination of the selected lncRNAs also resulted in a high performance (WA = 0.98). Altogether, OIP5-AS1 had the highest discriminative power in case of three out of six comparisons. CONCLUSION: Differences were detected in the expression of circulating lncRNAs in chronic respiratory diseases. Some of these differences might be utilized as biomarkers and also suggest a possible role of these lncRNAs in the pathomechanism of these diseases. The lncRNAs and the associated pathways are potential therapeutic targets in these diseases, but naturally additional studies are needed for the confirmation of these results.

Corrigendum: Investigation of the Possible Role of Tie2 Pathway and TEK Gene in Asthma and Allergic Conjunctivitis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00128.].

Author Correction: Plasma neutrophil extracellular trap level is modified by disease severity and inhaled corticosteroids in chronic inflammatory lung diseases.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Investigation of the Possible Role of Tie2 Pathway and TEK Gene in Asthma and Allergic Conjunctivitis.

Tie2, coded by the TEK gene, is a tyrosine kinase receptor and plays a central role in vascular stability. It was suggested that variations in the TEK gene might influence the susceptibility to asthma and allergic conjunctivitis. The aim of this study was to further investigate these suggestions, involving different populations and to study the Tie2 related pathway on a mouse model of asthma. The discovery, stage I cohort involved 306 patients with moderate and severe allergic rhinitis, the stage II study consisted of four cohorts, namely, adult and pediatric asthmatics and corresponding controls. Altogether, there were 1,258 unrelated individuals in these cohorts, out of which 63.9% were children and 36.1% were adults. In stage I, 112 SNPs were screened in the TEK gene of the patients in order to search for associations with asthma and allergic conjunctivitis. The top associated SNPs were selected for association studies on the replication cohorts. The rs3824410 SNP was nominally associated with a reduced risk of asthma in the stage I cohort and with severe asthma within the asthmatic population (p=0.009; OR=0.48) in the replication cohort. In the stage I study, 5 SNPs were selected in conjunctivitis. Due to the low number of adult patients with conjunctivitis, only children were involved in stage II. Within the asthmatic children, the rs622232 SNP was associated with conjunctivitis in boys in the dominant model (p=0.004; OR=4.76), while the rs7034505 showed association to conjunctivitis in girls (p=0.012; OR=2.42). In the lung of a mouse model of asthma, expression changes of 10 Tie2 pathway-related genes were evaluated at three points in time. Eighty percent of the selected genes showed significant changes in their expressions at least at one time point during the process, leading from sensitization to allergic airway inflammation. The expressions of both the Tek gene and its ligands showed a reduced level at all time points. In conclusion, our results provide additional proof that the Tie2 pathway, the TEK gene and its variations might have a role in asthma and allergic conjunctivitis. The gene and its associated pathways can be potential therapeutic targets in both diseases.

Plasma neutrophil extracellular trap level is modified by disease severity and inhaled corticosteroids in chronic inflammatory lung diseases.

A flow cytometry-based method was developed to quantify in vivo circulating neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) levels in plasma and compare them in patients with different chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Seventeen asthmatic and 11 control children, 12 adult controls, 46 asthmatic, 6 COPD and 6 adult patients with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) were recruited in the study. The presence of NETs in unstimulated cell-free plasma was confirmed and visualized by confocal laser-scanning microscopy. No significant differences were found in plasma NET levels between children and adults, children with or without asthma and adults with or without asthma, COPD or ACOS. When asthmatic patients were stratified according to their disease severity the average plasma NET level was significantly higher in asthmatic patients with more serious symptoms (adjusted p = 0.027). Patients with poorer pulmonary functions had higher plasma NET levels which negatively correlated with the FEV1 values (r = -0.39, p = 0.002). Patients who were medicated daily with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) had significantly lower average plasma NET level than patients who did not or just occasionally used ICS (p = 0.027). If further studies confirm the NET-lowering effect of ICS in the circulation, it can be utilized in diseases where NETosis contributes to the pathogenesis.

Treatment of acute rhinitis with a nasal spray containing tramazoline and essential oils: a multicenter, uncontrolled, observational trial.

BACKGROUND: In this observational trial, data were collected on the effectiveness and tolerability/safety of a nasal spray containing tramazoline and essential oils (trade name Rhinospray(®) Plus) used for symptomatic treatment of acute rhinitis due to common cold. METHODS: The trial was performed in 300 children, adolescents and adults, who were to be treated with Rhinospray(®) Plus for up to 4 times per day for up to 10 days. Primary endpoints were the change from baseline to final visit in the mean of three single symptom scores (blocked nose, sneezing, and runny nose) and the mean improvement in two quality-of-life parameters (ability to perform normal daytime activities and quality of sleep). RESULTS: A total of 108 children, 30 adolescents and 162 adults were treated with Rhinospray(®) Plus. No patient discontinued prematurely. There was a mean reduction of 2.0 ± 0.6 (standard deviation) in nasal symptom scores from baseline to final visit; 297 of 300 of patients (99.0 %) reported an improvement. The mean value for improvement in quality-of-life parameters was 1.3 ± 0.5. Improvement in daytime activities was reported by all 300 patients (100.0 %) and in quality of sleep by 292 patients (97.4 %). Effectiveness and tolerability were rated as 'very good' or 'good' by 95.4 % and 97.4 % of patients, respectively; the investigators rated effectiveness and tolerability as 'very good' or 'good' for 97.4 % and 100.0 % of patients, respectively. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Community-based patients reported a relief in acute rhinitis symptoms and improvement in quality of life as a result of treatment with Rhinospray(®) Plus. Treatment was well-tolerated.

Transmeatal excision of pars tensa retraction pockets with simultaneous ventilation tube insertion in children: a prospective study.

Grade II and III (according to Sadé's classification) retraction pockets (RPs) in 40 ears of 30 children were excised transmeatally with simultaneous ventilation tube insertion. At a mean follow-up of 16.1 months, an intact tympanic membrane and mild, grade I retractions not requiring treatment were observed in 32 ears (80%). The mean air-bone gap had decreased from 22.4 to 9.7 dB. Two residual perforations and six recurrent grade II RPs were detected, all these eight ears undergoing further surgery. The second surgery solved both of the residual perforations and four of the six grade II recurrences. The age of the children did not influence the success rate, whereas bilateral pathology, a higher grade and more extensive RPs were associated with a higher rate of unsuccessful cases. A staging system is introduced to ease the selection of candidates with a good prognosis for this procedure.

Prevalence and risk factors for allergic rhinitis in primary schoolchildren in Budapest.

OBJECTIVE: There is growing evidence that the prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing, especially among children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis in 6-12-year-old schoolchildren in Budapest. METHODS: A total of 6335 children aged between 6 and 12 years attending 21 randomly selected primary schools in Budapest were surveyed in September 2007 by using a questionnaire consisting in part of questions compiled by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and in part of questions based on our own experience. RESULTS: 3933 of the questionnaires (1976 M/1957 F) were appropriately completed by the parents. The prevalence of current allergic rhinitis was 14.9% (n=530), that of physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis was 11.6% (n=413), and that of cumulative allergic rhinitis was 26.5% (n=943). Male gender (p<0.001), family history of atopy (p<0.001), eczema (p<0.001), urticaria (p<0.001), itchy-watery eyes (p<0.001), coughing (p<0.001), wheezing (p<0.001), a hearing impairment (p<0.001), itching of the palate (p<0.001), frequent upper airway infection (p<0.001), frequent rhinosinusitis (p<0.001), a history of tonsillectomy (p<0.01), a history of adenoidectomy (p<0.001), antibiotics given in the first year of life (p<0.001), paracetamol given in the first year of life (p<0.001), living in a green area (p<0.001), the consumption of soft drinks containing preservatives or colourants (p<0.04), feather bedding (p<0.01), living in a house made of concrete (p<0.001), living not far from an air-polluting factory or mine (p<0.001), and long-lasting disease before the appearance of the allergy (p<0.001) were all significant factors involving an increased risk of allergic rhinitis symptoms. The frequent consumption of tomatoes, nuts, margarine and butter significantly affected the cumulative allergic rhinitis prevalence. RESULTS: Overall, the 12-month prevalence of allergic rhinitis in these 6-12-year-old children in Budapest was 14.9%, which is higher than reported from other European countries. Our findings differ from those on other cohorts in that exposure to ragweed and to indoor environmental factors in concrete housing estates in Budapest may be of particular importance as concerns allergic sensitization.

Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis and its complications in our pediatric otolaryngological department between 1997 and 2006.

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective survey of the number, age, gender, month of admission, type of persistent acute bacterial rhinosinusitis and case history of pediatric patients who did not respond to conservative therapy, and of those who suffered from complications of acute sinusitis. METHODS: The case charts of all children (<19 years of age) admitted to our department between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2006 with persistent acute bacterial rhinosinusitis that within 14-26 days against the course of appropriate conservative therapy have not recovered and complications of acute sinusitis were subjected to a retrospective review. RESULTS: Of the 339 patients 182 were admitted with persistent acute bacterial rhinosinusitis and did not respond to conservative therapy and 157 children were diagnosed with secondary complications of acute sinusitis. Males predominated overall (54.8%). The most endangered age range was between 3 and 6 years. The highest number of admissions occurred in March. The maxillary sinus was most frequently involved. Orbital complications were observed in 150 patients: 126 cases of preseptal cellulitis, 9 of orbital cellulitis, 4 of subperiosteal abscess, and 11 of orbital abscess. Further two children were diagnosed with intracranial complications, four patients presented with osteomyelitis and the remaining one exhibited mucocele. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most commonly cultured pathogen. There were no mortalities, and morbidity occurred in only two cases. The topicality and importance of this subject are illustrated by taking into account of two cases. CONCLUSIONS: The complications of acute rhinosinusitis are challenging, but the prognosis can be favorable. Early diagnosis and surgical drainage procedures in conjunction with aggressive medical management remain the standard of care for these critically ill patients.

History and development of pediatric otorhinolaryngology in Hungary.

The first pediatric otorhinolaryngological department was set up in Hungary at the Heim Pál Children's Hospital, Budapest in 1948. The first head of the department and the founder of Hungarian pediatric otorhinolaryngology was Ferenc Kallay. He was followed in leadership by Jeno Hirschberg, and at present Gábor Katona. In Budapest 10 pediatric otolaryngological departments and in other parts of the country seven departments have been working until recently with overall 344 beds. The Pediatric Otorhinolaryngological Section was developed in 1977. The discipline is independent specialty since 1978. Conferences with various special topics have been organized every year since then. Two international congresses were held in Hungary: the first one in Eger, 1986 presided by Jeno Hirschberg and Zoltán Lábas; and the second in Budapest in 2008, organized by Gábor Katona. The Hungarian pediatric otorhinolaryngologists assumed initiative role in the development of this special discipline six decades ago, early joined in the international life and have had important positions in several international associations (IFOS, ESPO, UEP, IALP, IAP) as president, board member or chairman of committees. Besides the organizational work, they have taken part in the scientific and research work as well: in the present paper the authors detail the results achieved by them in several topics of pediatric otorhinolaryngology.