Reduced work/academic performance and quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis and impact of allergen immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterised by burdensome nasal and/or ocular symptoms. This inflammatory disease can be debilitating and thus result in considerable health-related and economic consequences. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, adult subjects with AR (N = 683) completed three allergy-specific questionnaires that assessed the impact of AR on the work/academic performance, daily activities, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and satisfaction with allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Regression analyses were used to examine the associations between several clinical variables and the patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: Total loss of productivity was 21.0 and 21.2 % for employed and student patients, respectively, whereas the impairment of daily activities was 22.0 %. The mean overall HRQOL score was 1.94 ± 1.29 (on the scale of 0-6 points). Global score for satisfaction with AIT was 65.5 ± 24.8 (on a 0-100 scale). Simple regression analysis found statistically significant associations between loss of work and academic productivity, impairment of daily activities and the type and severity of AR. AIT was a protective factor. The persistent and more severe types of AR and lack of AIT contributed to the worsening of HRQOL. CONCLUSIONS: AR (the persistent and more severe form of the disease) has an impact on functional characteristics of adult patients in Spain. AIT might reduce the effect of this disease on the work/academic performance and HRQOL. Trial registration Retrospectively registered.

[Comparative efficacy of oral deflazacort versus oral prednisolone in children with moderate acute asthma]. / Estudio comparativo de la eficacia del deflazacort frente a prednisolona en el tratamiento de la crisis asmática moderada.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of oral deflazacort versus oral prednisolone in acute moderate asthma in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective, randomized, parallel group trial of children aged 6 to 14 years old with a diagnosis of asthma who presented to the pediatric emergency department for moderate asthma exacerbation. All patients were administered short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists. The intervention groups received either oral deflazacort (1.5 mg/kg) or prednisolone (1 mg/kg) for 7 days. The primary outcome measure was forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and secondary outcome measures were pulmonary symptom score index, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), hospitalization rate and the use of rescue beta2-agonists. Patients were evaluated at the start of treatment (visit 1), on day 2 (visit 2) and on day 7 (visit 3). RESULTS: Of the 54 children enrolled, two were hospitalized on visit 2 (one from each group). Baseline clinical data were similar in both groups: FEV1: 53 and 51 %; bronchodilator test: 119 and 121 %; PEFR: 169 and 165 L/min; symptom score: 6 and 6.5 for the deflazacort and prednisolone groups, respectively. On visit 2, all measures improved: FEV1: 122.2 and 126.5 % (p < 0.05); PEFR: 164 and 149 L/min (p < 0.05); symptom score: -4.4 and -3.8 (p < 0.05), without significant differences between groups. On visit 3 all variables continued to show improvement: FEV1: 133.2 and 132.5 % (p < 0.05); PEFR: 1115.7 and 187.6 L/min (p < 0.05); symptom score: -5.4 and -5.9 (p < 0.05), without significant differences between groups. No adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Deflazacort and prednisolone show similar efficacy in improving pulmonary function and in producing clinical improvement in the management of acute moderate asthma in children.

Estudio comparativo de la eficacia del deflazacort frente a prednisolona en el tratamiento de la crisis asmática moderada / Comparative efficacy of oral deflazacort versus oral prednisolone in children with moderate acute asthma

Objetivos Evaluar la eficacia y tolerancia del deflazacort frente a la prednisolona en el tratamiento de la agudización moderada de asma en niños. Pacientes y métodos Estudio de intervención, multicéntrico, prospectivo, abierto, aleatorizado, grupos paralelos en niños de 6 a 14 años diagnosticados de asma, en situación de agudización moderada tratados todos con agonistas Beta2-adrenérgicos de corta acción. Los grupos de intervención recibieron deflazacort (1,5 mg/kg) o prednisolona (1 mg/kg) durante 7 días. La medida principal de eficacia fue el volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo (FEV1) y como medidas secundarias se evaluaron la escala clínica de gravedad, el flujo espiratorio máximo (PEF), el índice de hospitalización y la utilización de medicación Beta2-agonista de rescate. Todos los sujetos fueron controlados al inicio del tratamiento (visita 1), al segundo día (visita 2) y al séptimo día (visita 3) del estudio. Resultados Se incluyeron en el estudio 54 pacientes, de los cuales dos requirieron hospitalización (uno de cada grupo). Los valores iniciales fueron similares para ambos grupos: FEV1, 53 y 51 por ciento; test de broncodilatación, 19 y + 21 por ciento;PEF, 169 y 165 l/min; escala de gravedad, 6,1 y 6,5 para los grupos deflazacort y prednisolona, respectivamente. En la visita 2, todos los parámetros mostraron mejoría: FEV1, +22,2 y 26,5 por ciento (p < 0,05); PEF, +64 y 49 l/min (p < 0,05); escala de gravedad -4,4 y -3,8 (p < 0,05), sin diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos. En la visita 3 todos los parámetros continuaron mejorando: FEV1, +33,2 y +32,5 por ciento (p < 0,05); PEF, +115,7 y 87,6 l/min (p < 0,05); escala de gravedad -5,4 y -5,9 (p < 0,05), también sin diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos. No se registraron efectos adversos en ningún paciente. Conclusiones En el tratamiento de la agudización moderada de asma en niños, deflazacort tiene una eficacia similar a prednisolona como se refleja tanto en la mejoría clínica de los pacientes como en la función pulmonar (AU)

Infecciones en la primera infancia: ¿beneficio o perjuicio en el asma? / No disponible

No disponible

Lung transplantation in young infants with interstitial pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: We describe our experience with infants suffering from interstitial pneumonia referred for lung transplantation. METHODS: From April 1998 to December 2000, three infants were admitted to our lung transplantation program: a 9-month-old girl (patient 1) suffering from surfactant protein C deficiency who had high oxygen requirements (fraction of inspired oxygen: 70% to 90%), and two boys, ages 2 (patient 2) and 9 months (patient 3), who were ventilator-dependent due to chronic pneumonitis of infancy. RESULTS: Patients were transplanted at the age of 5 months (patient 2) and 13 months (patients 1 and 3) at 87 to 105 days after being accepted for lung transplantation. All cases underwent a sequential double lung transplant on cardiopulmonary bypass. The immunosuppressive regime included tacrolimus, prednisone, and azathioprine. Patients 2 and 3 also received basiliximab. Two cases suffered a mild rejection episode that responded to high-dose steroids. Patient 2 was ventilator-dependent for 8 months after transplant, owing to severe bronchomalacia and left main bronchus stenosis. Bronchial stenosis resolved after pneumatic dilatation and endobronchial stenting. This patient also presented with a pulmonary artery anastomosis stricture that required percutaneous balloon dilatation. All three patients are at home, carrying out normal activities for their age, with no respiratory symptoms after a period of 8 to 29 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Interstitial pneumonia of infancy is a rare disease with a bad prognosis and no specific treatment; therefore, lung transplantation represents a good therapeutic option for these infants.

DNase use in the daily care of cystic fibrosis: who benefits from it and to what extent? Results of a cohort study of 199 patients in 13 centres. DNase National Study Group.

UNLABELLED: Short-term clinical trials with DNase have shown minor to moderate benefits in cystic fibrosis patients. This study was performed to analyse the effectiveness of DNase use in daily practice and to obtain information on its effects in the long term and at different disease stages. Patients being treated in 13 specialised units were included if they started DNase treatment before June 1996. Baseline data before DNase use and data during the DNase treatment period were recorded. Of the 199 patients included in the study 166 continued on DNase treatment while the data were being collected. The mean age (95% CI) was 14.5 (13.7; 15,2) years; 103 (51.8%) patients were female. The mean maximum change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) was observed during the first month of treatment [11.1% (6.1; 16.1)]. By the end of the first and the second year of treatment mean changes in FEV(1) were 3.3% (-1.1; 7. 6) and 5.1% (-0.7; 10.9) respectively; at the end of the same periods 34% of patients had improved their baseline FEV(1) by 10% or more but in around 50% of patients the level fell below the baseline. A large inter-individual variability in changes in pulmonary function after the start of DNase treatment was documented. In addition, the medium-term response to treatment was correlated with early response during the first 3 months. No consistent changes in exacerbation pattern were found during the first year of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of DNase use in daily practice are limited but apparently can be maintained in the medium term in some patients. A large inter-individual variability in response to DNase treatment has been documented and the benefits are doubtful in around 50% of patients. This observation points to the need to set up a withdrawal trial in these patients, using as an eligibility criterion the early response observed during the first 3 months of treatment.

Tratamiento a largo plazo con dornasa alfa en la fibrosis quística / Long term treatment with rhDnase for cystic fibrosis

Objetivo. Evaluar la respuesta al tratamiento a largo plazo con rhDnasa en pacientes afectos de fibrosisquística. Diseño. Estudio retrospectivo, multicentro. Población. Doscientos seis pacientes. Metodología. En trece unidades de fibrosis quística de España sereunieron los pacientes que iniciaron tratamiento con 2.50 mg. de rhDnasa cada 24 horas, entre junio de 1994 y junio de 1996. Resultados. En la valoración inicial la media de peso fue de 40.06 kg y la talla 148 cms. La media de la Capacidad Vital Forzada (CVF) fue de 65.8 por ciento con respecto a su valor de predicción y la del Volúmen Espiratorio Forzado del primer minuto (VEF1) del 54.39 por ciento. A los tres años de tratamiento ha disminuído el número de pacientes con respuesta nula para ambos parámetros y ha aumentado significativamente el porcentaje de casos con respuesta buena o excelente para la CVF, mientras que para el VEF1 se mantuvo con valores similares. Conclusiones. El tratamiento con rhDnasa nebulizada es eficaz en el 60 por ciento de los enfermos afectos de fibrosis quística

[Bone mass in patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas. Relationship with anthropometric parameters and genotype]. / Masa ósea en pacientes con fibrosis quística de páncreas. Relación con parámetros antropométricos y genotipo.

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional study of bone mineral density (BMD) in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas. The relationship of BMD values with nutritional status, respiratory function and the cystic transmembrane regulator genotype was also evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: BMD expressed as grams of hydroxyapatite/cm2 was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in the lumbar spine (L2-L4) in 41 patients (21 males and 20 women; age range: 4-21 years) with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas and compared with that of 471 normal controls (256 males and 215 women; age range: 1-20 years). Twenty patients were prepubertal, 9 pubertal and 12 young adults. RESULTS: Clinical repercussion of the disease evaluated by clinical and anthropometric data (weight, height and body mass index) and respiratory function was considered moderate. Height z score (mean [MSE]) was -0.53 (0.28), weight -0.81 (0.21) and body mass index -0.82 (0.12) BMD z score values (mean [MSE]) were -1.14 (0.17) and differed significantly (p < 0.001) from those of normal age- and sex-matched controls. No significant differences were observed between males and women or among prepubertal, pubertal and young adult patients. BMD z score values less than-1 z score were found in 53% and under -2 z score in 8%. Cystic transmembrane regulator genotype was studied in 36 patients (17 were F508/-, 10 F508/F508, 5 G542X/- and 4 diverse) and did not predict bone mineral status. A statistically significant correlation was found between BMD z score values and height z score, weight z score, body mass index z score and clinical assessment according to Shwachman criteria. A negative and statistically significant correlation was observed between BMD z score and functional score. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in BMD values in CF patients begins early in life and appears to be related to the degree of clinical expression of the disease.

Enhanced oxidative damage in cystic fibrosis patients.

Antioxidant depletion and increased free radical production by inflammatory cells have been described in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. To evaluate oxidative damage intensity, we measured plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde, hydroperoxides and protein carbon groups as markers of oxidative injury to lipids and proteins in a group of 101 CF patients free of acute exacerbation, and in 43-112 controls. Moreover, we estimated antioxidant function by measuring activities of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and vitamin E concentrations. In CF patients, malondialdehyde and hydroperoxide plasma levels were significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.001). Increased lipid peroxidation was documented by these two markers. Parallel rises in protein carbonyls in plasma of CF patients were observed (p < 0.0001). These patients presented biochemical but not clinical vitamin E deficiency. Glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly higher than in controls. These results show a serious imbalance of CF patients between oxidant-antioxidant status leading to oxidative stress.

Spectrum of manifestations of Swyer-James-MacLeod syndrome.

PURPOSE: The clinical and imaging findings of children with Swyer-James-MacLeod syndrome (SJMS) were reviewed to determine the incidence and type of bronchiectasis and analyze whether the clinical course of patients with bronchiectasis differed from that of patients without bronchiectasis. METHOD: Our study population consisted of 13 patients. All had inspiratory/ expiratory chest X-ray films, chest CT, and lung scans. Eight underwent pulmonary function test. The results of these studies at diagnosis and during follow-up were analyzed and compared with the clinical features. RESULTS: Bronchiectasis was demonstrated in nine patients, being saccular in five and cylindrical in four. Expiratory slices were helpful for demonstrating bilateral lung involvement that had not been suspected on inspiratory CT scans or conventional radiographs. The clinical features of the five patients with saccular bronchiectasis resembled those of patients with classic postviral bronchiectasis who suffered recurrent pulmonary infections; three of them underwent lobectomy. The remaining patients presented mild respiratory symptoms, with a spontaneous tendency toward improvement. CONCLUSION: SJMS should be considered as a spectrum disease. Bronchiectasis is not a universal finding. The presence and type of bronchiectasis will influence clinical manifestations and prognosis. Patients without bronchiectasis or with cylindrical bronchiectasis had a lower incidence of pneumonia episodes than those with saccular bronchiectasis.

[Our experience in the treatment of cervico-facial adenitis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (atypical mycobacteria)]. / Nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento de las adenitis cervicofaciales por micobacterias no tuberculosas (micobacterias atípicas).

The authors believe that the greater part of chronic cervicofacial adenitis actually observed in our hospitals, are not caused by M. tuberculosis or M. bovis but by scrofulaceum mycobacterium, M. avium, M. fortuitum and M. Kansasii, and above all, by the first two of these. They present their experience with 16 cases of cervico-facial adenitis due to atypical mycobacterium (CAAM) treated in our centre during the last years, in which period no case of cervical tuberculosis (CT) was observed. It is important to establish an early differential diagnosis between both etiologies, seeing as treatment is different. Whilst tuberculostatics can solve the phymic infection, surgical extirpation is the only solution for CAAM. The diagnosis of these types of infection is achieved by means of a very characteristic clinical procedure and by cutaneous tests specific for each bacteria. Faced with the clinical suspicion, the total extirpation should be effected of the adenopathic block affected. The exact diagnosis can only be made by the culture of the operatory mass.