Association of the Asthma Control Test with peak flow measures in a population in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: The Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire has been widely used and validated in various ethnic groups, showing an adequate correlation with physician assessment of asthma control. We sought to evaluate the relationship between ACT-defined asthma control and peak flow measures in subjects living in Puerto Rico. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of data collected by a mobile asthma clinic in 2 cities in Puerto Rico was conducted. The participants completed an asthma and rhinitis survey. Self-reported asthmatics answered the age-appropriate Spanish version of the ACT. Peak flows (PEF) were measured. Subjects were skin-tested against the common local aeroallergens. The study was approved by the University of Puerto Rico's IRB. RESULTS: We evaluated data from 70 subjects aged 4 to 68. Of them, 82.85% were 12 years old or older, 64.3% reported having a history of asthma, 57.14% reported that they still suffered from asthma, 81.4% reported that they suffered from rhinitis, and 78.57% were sensitized to at least 1 antigen. The mean ACT score of current asthmatics was 18.97, while that of past asthmatics was 23.83 (p = 6.6e-6). The variability of PEF increased as the ACT score increased. Age had no impact on asthma control (p > 0.25), while the effect of PEF on the control of asthma was tied to gender. Rhinitis was also associated with poor asthma control as defined by the ACT score. No other covariate was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study supports the use of the ACT to evaluate asthma control in asthmatics living in Puerto Rico. Research into factors associated with poor asthma control, and the importance of rhinitis with regard to such control, is needed.

Newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency in 11 screening programs in the United States.

IMPORTANCE: Newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) using assays to detect T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) began in Wisconsin in 2008, and SCID was added to the national recommended uniform panel for newborn screened disorders in 2010. Currently 23 states, the District of Columbia, and the Navajo Nation conduct population-wide newborn screening for SCID. The incidence of SCID is estimated at 1 in 100,000 births. OBJECTIVES: To present data from a spectrum of SCID newborn screening programs, establish population-based incidence for SCID and other conditions with T-cell lymphopenia, and document early institution of effective treatments. DESIGN: Epidemiological and retrospective observational study. SETTING: Representatives in states conducting SCID newborn screening were invited to submit their SCID screening algorithms, test performance data, and deidentified clinical and laboratory information regarding infants screened and cases with nonnormal results. Infants born from the start of each participating program from January 2008 through the most recent evaluable date prior to July 2013 were included. Representatives from 10 states plus the Navajo Area Indian Health Service contributed data from 3,030,083 newborns screened with a TREC test. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Infants with SCID and other diagnoses of T-cell lymphopenia were classified. Incidence and, where possible, etiologies were determined. Interventions and survival were tracked. RESULTS: Screening detected 52 cases of typical SCID, leaky SCID, and Omenn syndrome, affecting 1 in 58,000 infants (95% CI, 1/46,000-1/80,000). Survival of SCID-affected infants through their diagnosis and immune reconstitution was 87% (45/52), 92% (45/49) for infants who received transplantation, enzyme replacement, and/or gene therapy. Additional interventions for SCID and non-SCID T-cell lymphopenia included immunoglobulin infusions, preventive antibiotics, and avoidance of live vaccines. Variations in definitions and follow-up practices influenced the rates of detection of non-SCID T-cell lymphopenia. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Newborn screening in 11 programs in the United States identified SCID in 1 in 58,000 infants, with high survival. The usefulness of detection of non-SCID T-cell lymphopenias by the same screening remains to be determined.

Allergen sensitivity (mites, insects, and pets) in a Puerto Rican population.

OBJECTIVE: The people of Puerto Rico have one of the highest asthma prevalence and morbidity rates in the U.S.A. Limited information is available on the most common allergy sensitivities among island residents. The aims of the study were to determine the most common inhalant allergen sensitivities among a convenience sample in Puerto Rico and determine as well their relationship to an asthma or a rhinitis diagnosis. METHODS: In August of 2008, we evaluated a cohort of subjects visiting ambulatory clinics offering health screening; the clinics were located in two of the island's biggest cities: Guaynabo in the north and Ponce in the south. Subjects over three years of age (or their parents) visiting the clinics answered a survey on asthma and rhinitis and were skin tested for reactivity to common aeroallergens. RESULTS: The survey included 395 subjects with a mean age of 29 years. Thirty-six percent reported a history of asthma, of whom 83% (30% of the total participants) reported still having asthma, and 76% reported having rhinitis. Sixty-five percent of the subjects were sensitive to at least one antigen. Subjects sensitive to mites were 53% more likely to have suffered from asthma than were non-mite-sensitized subjects (OR = 1.53, p < 0.05) sensitivity to mosquitoes (OR = 2.25, p < 0.02), mites (OR = 2.53, p < 0.00001), feathers (OR = 2.72, p < 0.03), dogs (OR = 3.02, p < 0.01), or cats (OR = 3.42, p < 0.001) increased an individual's likelihood of suffering from rhinitis. CONCLUSION: The most common sensitivities identified were to mites and insects. Mite sensitivity was associated with rhinitis and asthma. Sensitivity to animal dander as well as to mosquitoes was associated to with rhinitis. Further studies are warranted to explore the relevance of allergen sensitivity in terms of asthma and rhinitis prevalence and morbidity among residents of Puerto Rico.

Allergist role in asthma care in Puerto Rico.

INTRODUCTION: Puerto Ricans have one of the highest asthma prevalence and morbidity rates. However, limited information is available on asthma care and attitudes toward asthma treatment among Puerto Ricans living in the island. METHODS: We evaluated a cohort of subjects attending Ambulatory Health Screen Clinic in the two main cities in the north and south of the island during August of 2008. Subjects attending the clinic answered a survey about asthma care and attitudes toward asthma treatment. Approval was obtained from the Medical Sciences IRB and written informed consent obtained from all research subjects before enrollment. RESULTS: According to subject report, asthma care is primarily conducted by primary care physicians including pediatricians (35.8%), general practitioners (31.4%), and family physicians (4.3%). Pulmonary physicians conducted 23.3% of asthma care and allergists conduct 3.6%. Only 65.5 % reported using prescribed asthma medications. Fear of medication side effects (37.7%), lacks of health insurance coverage (26.4%), and medication cost (15.1%) were the most common causes reported for poor compliance. Subjects considered that physicians were one of the best sources (68.1%) for information on asthma, followed by the TV (23.7%) and the web (15.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Most asthma care in Puerto Rico is conducted by primary care providers. Subspecialists have a limited role and particularly allergists. Efforts to increased public and physician awareness of the role of allergists in asthma care in Puerto Rico are warranted.

Chagas disease in a domestic transmission cycle, southern Texas, USA.

After three dogs died from acute Chagas cardiomyopathy at one location, an investigation was conducted of the home, garage, and grounds of the owner. A serologic study was conducted on stray dogs, and an ecologic niche model was developed to predict areas where the vector Triatoma gerstaeckeri might be expected.