The importance of specific IgE antibodies in the epidemiology of allergic rhinitis and asthma (ECAP survey): part four. The relationship between the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in serum and types of asthma.

Introduction: Specific immunoglobulins E (sIgE) are important parameters for the estimation of severity of allergic diseases. Aim: To determine the relationship between the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in serum and types of asthma. Material and methods: The concentration of sIgE antibodies against allergens Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cat dander, timothy grass, and Alternaria alternata were determined in the serum of 4077 respondents randomly selected from 8 regions (ECAP study). The positive results of sIgE (≥ 0.35 IU/ml or ≥ 0.7 IU/ml) were correlated to clinical diagnosis (types of asthma, skin-prick tests). Results: sIgE antibodies against any allergen were detected in 9.9% (classes 1-6)/7.6% (classes 2-6) of healthy respondents. Comparing sIgE antibodies of respondents with intermittent asthma to sIgE antibodies of respondents with persistent asthma, no statistically significant differences were identified. Relating to allergens of D. pteronyssinus, cat dander, and A. alternata, sIgE antibodies were more frequently detected in respondents with atopic asthma and a negative skin-prick test as compared to healthy respondents with a negative skin-prick test (p < 0.005 to p < 0.001). Relating to allergens of D. pteronyssinus, cat dander, and timothy grass, sIgE antibodies were more frequently detected in respondents with atopic asthma and a weakly positive skin-prick test as compared to healthy respondents with weakly positive skin-prick test (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Conclusions: Regarding subjects with a negative or weakly positive skin test, when sIgE antibodies to the same allergen are detected, asthma is much more likely to occur.

The importance of specific IgE antibodies in the epidemiology of allergic rhinitis and asthma (ECAP survey): part five. The relationship between the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in serum and types of rhinitis.

Introduction: Specific immunoglobulins E (sIgE) are important parameters for the estimation of severity of allergic diseases. Aim: To determine the relationship between the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in serum and types of rhinitis. Material and methods: The concentration of sIgE antibodies against allergens Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cat dander, timothy grass, and Alternaria alternata were determined in the serum of 4077 respondents randomly selected from 8 regions (ECAP study). The positive results of sIgE (≥ 0.35 IU/ml or ≥ 0.7 IU/ml) were correlated to clinical diagnosis (types of rhinitis, skin-prick tests). Results: sIgE antibodies are more frequently detected in respondents with intermittent/seasonal allergic rhinitis and a negative skin-prick test as compared to healthy respondents with a negative skin-prick test (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Relating to allergens of D. pteronyssinus and cat dander, sIgE antibodies are more frequently detected in respondents with persistent/perennial allergic rhinitis and a negative or weakly positive skin-prick test as compared to healthy respondents with a negative or weakly positive skin-prick test (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Conclusions: The occurrence of intermittent/seasonal allergic rhinitis is much more probable in respondents with a negative skin-prick test, when IgE antibodies against the same allergen are detected. And the occurrence of persistent/perennial allergic rhinitis is much more probable in respondents with a negative or weakly positive skin-prick test with allergens of D. pteronyssinus or cat dander, when IgE antibodies against the same allergen are detected.

Why the role of mHealth in allergy diagnosis and treatment adherence cannot be overlooked.

BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases-rhinitis and asthma-are the most common chronic conditions affecting adults. Traditional approaches to allergy diagnosis and treatment do not meet the health needs of all patients. Treatment adherence remains a challenge for physicians. The ubiquity of Internet access paired with limited in-person contact with medical personnel in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the potential of mHealth in communicating health information. BODY: The abundance of new applications dedicated to various medical specialties encourages reflection on the informed use of such tools. The paper takes a closer look at the potential of mHealth and presents conclusions of selected studies focusing on the use of good apps. The strength weakness opportunities threats analysis was used to illustrate the strengths of the mHealth strategy, as well as its advantages, limitations and areas in need of further development. CONCLUSION: The strength of mHealth depends on the quality and quantity of the collected patient data, its reliable processing, as well as publication of outcomes and conclusions from analyses. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the use of validated applications among patients, physicians and medical staff.

Place of residence, gender, month of birth and age influence on the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in serum. The Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases in Poland (ECAP survey): part three.

Introduction: Specific immunoglobulins E (sIgE) are important parameters to estimate the severity of allergic diseases. Aim: To determine the influence of gender, age and place of residence on the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in serum. Material and methods: The concentration of sIgE antibodies against allergens of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cat dander, timothy grass, Alternaria alternata were determined in serum of 4077 respondents randomly selected from 8 regions (ECAP study). The positive results of sIgE (≥ 0.35 IU/ml) were correlated with answers to ECAP questionnaires. Results: IgE antibodies are less frequently detected in respondents living in the country (p < 0.05 to p < 0.005); and they are less frequently detected in respondents living in cities of hardly industrialised regions than in respondents living in cities of industrialised regions (D. pteronyssinus p < 0.05, cat dander p < 0.01). IgE antibodies are more frequently detected in men (p < 0.005 to p < 0.001). IgE antibodies are more frequently detected in respondents born in May-July (timothy grass p < 0.005, Alternaria alternata p < 0.005) and less frequently detected in respondents born in August-October (timothy grass p < 0.005, Alternaria alternata p < 0.05). Conclusions: Characteristics of the urban environment, non-specific factors and gender affect the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in serum. Influence of seasonal allergens within the first months of life and/or in the course of the foetal period alters the production of specific IgE antibodies.

Correction to: Dissociating polysensitization and multimorbidity in children and adults from a Polish general population cohort.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13601-019-0246-y.].

Dissociating polysensitization and multimorbidity in children and adults from a Polish general population cohort.

Background: Links between multimorbidity of allergic diseases and allergen sensitization are still under debate, especially in adults. This study aimed to establish a relationship between polysensitization and allergic multimorbidity in children and adults and the allergens involved in multimorbidity. Material and method: A cross-sectional multicentre study enrolled children aged 6-7 and 13-14 years and adults aged 20-44 years from a Polish national cohort. The diagnosis of allergic diseases was made by a physician. Skin prick tests to 13 allergens and serum IgE levels to 4 allergens were tested. Results: Among the 3856 participants, single disease (asthma, allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis) was diagnosed in 27.7% subjects and allergic multimorbidity in 9.3%. Allergic multimorbidity occurred more commonly in children than in adults (p < 0.01). Asthma or atopic dermatitis alone were not associated with polysensitization. Rhinitis and multimorbidity were associated with polysensitization. Allergic multimorbidity occurred in 2.2% of participants with negative skin prick tests, 9.8% of those with one positive prick test (SPT ≥ 3 mm) and 20.6% of polysensitized ones (p < 0.001). There was an increasing risk of multimorbidity depending on the number of positive prick tests for both SPT ≥ 3 mm (OR 9.6-16.5) and SPT ≥ 6 mm (OR 5.9-13.7). A statistically significant relationship was found between allergic multimorbidity and sensitization to cat and mite allergens. Conclusions: Multimorbidity is associated with polysensitization especially in children compared with adults in Polish population cohort. New insights into single disease patterns were found: bronchial asthma is the strongest risk factor for the development of multimorbidity in comparison with allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.

Is the "farm effect" hypothesis still current? Atopy and allergic diseases in rural and urban children in Poland.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of allergic diseases has reached epidemic proportions in the Western world. Although farm-living has been associated with a lower prevalence of asthma and atopy, a marked increase in atopy among rural populations after accession to the European Union has been recently reported in Poland. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of living environment on the prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases in Polish children. METHODS: 400 schoolchildren aged 10-14 years from the capital city (223) and from traditional rural part of the country (177) were recruited from June to November 2011. Data on allergic diseases and symptoms were collected by means of questionnaire and physical examination. Atopy was assessed based on skin prick tests (SPTs) reactivity to inhalant allergens in 350 children. RESULTS: A high discrepancy between the prevalence of allergic symptoms (46.7%) and doctor-diagnosed allergic diseases (25%) was demonstrated (p < 0.0001). Urban children had a higher overall prevalence of allergic diseases and atopy than children living in rural areas, 29.3% versus 17.1% (p = 0.007) and 33.5% versus 20% (p = 0.0045), respectively. However, no significant differences in the rates of particular allergic diseases were noted (p > 0.05). There was higher SPT positivity to trees, grass, corn, weeds, animal dander, and molds in urban children (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the protective effect of farm-living on the prevalence of atopy and overall allergic diseases, albeit not on particular allergic diseases, in children in Poland. The underlying mechanisms are not identified, but current socioeconomic changes may be responsible.

Abnormalities in lung volumes and airflow in children with newly diagnosed connective tissue disease.

INTRODUCTION: Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) of childhood are rare inflammatory disorders, involving various organs and tissues including respiratory system. Pulmonary involvement in patients with CTDs is uncommon but may cause functional impairment. Data on prevalence and type of lung function abnormalities in children with CTDs are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to asses pulmonary functional status in children with newly diagnosed CTD and follow the results after two years of the disease course. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 98 children (mean age: 13 ± 3; 76 girls), treated in Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Institute of Rheumatology, Warsaw and 80 aged-matched, healthy controls (mean age 12.7 ± 2.4; 50 girls) included into the study. Study procedures included medical history, physical examination, chest radiograph and PFT (spirometry and whole body-plethysmography). Then, the assessment of PFT was performed after 24 months. RESULTS: FEV1, FEV1/FVC and MEF50 were significantly lower in CTD as compared to control group, there was no difference in FVC and TLC. The proportion of patients with abnormal lung function was significantly higher in the study group, 41 (42%) vs 9 (11%). 24-months observation didn't reveal progression in lung function impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Lung function impairment is relatively common in children with CTDs. Although restrictive ventilatory pattern is considered typical feature of lung involvement in CTDs, airflow limitation could also be an initial abnormality.

The Influence of the Reference Values on the Interpretation of Lung Function in Children: Comparison of Global Lung Initiative 2012 and Polish 1998 Reference Values.

Interpretation of spirometry strongly depends on the applied predicted values. New Global Lung Initiative (GLI) reference values have recently been published but their influence on spirometry interpretation in children has not been widely evaluated. The aim of the study was to compare the interpretation of spirometry using GLI-2012 vs. Polish-1998 reference values. Spirometry results of 315 Caucasian children aged 4-18 were analyzed. Airway obstruction was defined as FEV1/FVCLLN. The findings were that FEV1 and FVC expressed as GLI-2012 or Polish-1998 z-scores differed significantly (p<0.05). The mean FEV1 z-score was -0.68±1.25 vs. -0.13±1.70 and the mean FVC was -0.34±1.08 vs. 0.30±1.15 for GLI-2012 and Polish-1998, respectively. There was no difference for FEV1/FVC z-scores. Obstructive and restrictive ventilatory patterns were diagnosed in 20.3% and 7.6% children using GLI-2012 values compared with 17.5% and 3.8% when using Polish-1998 reference values, respectively. In conclusion, the use of GLI-2012 reference values in the population of Polish children increases the number of detected lung function abnormalities compared with Polish-1998 reference values.