Work productivity in rhinitis using cell phones: The MASK pilot study.

Allergic rhinitis often impairs social life and performance. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to use cell phone data to assess the impact on work productivity of uncontrolled rhinitis assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). A mobile phone app (Allergy Diary, Google Play Store and Apple App Store) collects data from daily visual analogue scales (VAS) for overall allergic symptoms (VAS-global measured), nasal (VAS-nasal), ocular (VAS-ocular) and asthma symptoms (VAS-asthma) as well as work (VAS-work). A combined nasal-ocular score is calculated. The Allergy Diary is available in 21 countries. The app includes the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Allergic Specific Questionnaire (WPAI:AS) in six EU countries. All consecutive users who completed the VAS-work from 1 June to 31 October 2016 were included in the study. A total of 1136 users filled in 5818 days of VAS-work. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis were controlled (VAS-global <20) in approximately 60% of the days. In users with uncontrolled rhinitis, approximately 90% had some work impairment and over 50% had severe work impairment (VAS-work >50). There was a significant correlation between VAS-global calculated and VAS-work (Rho=0.83, P<0.00001, Spearman's rank test). In 144 users, there was a significant correlation between VAS-work and WPAI:AS (Rho=0.53, P<0.0001). This pilot study provides not only proof-of-concept data on the work impairment collected with the app but also data on the app itself, especially the distribution of responses for the VAS. This supports the interpretation that persons with rhinitis report both the presence and the absence of symptoms.

Building Bridges for Innovation in Ageing: Synergies between Action Groups of the EIP on AHA.

The Strategic Implementation Plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) proposed six Action Groups. After almost three years of activity, many achievements have been obtained through commitments or collaborative work of the Action Groups. However, they have often worked in silos and, consequently, synergies between Action Groups have been proposed to strengthen the triple win of the EIP on AHA. The paper presents the methodology and current status of the Task Force on EIP on AHA synergies. Synergies are in line with the Action Groups' new Renovated Action Plan (2016-2018) to ensure that their future objectives are coherent and fully connected. The outcomes and impact of synergies are using the Monitoring and Assessment Framework for the EIP on AHA (MAFEIP). Eight proposals for synergies have been approved by the Task Force: Five cross-cutting synergies which can be used for all current and future synergies as they consider overarching domains (appropriate polypharmacy, citizen empowerment, teaching and coaching on AHA, deployment of synergies to EU regions, Responsible Research and Innovation), and three cross-cutting synergies focussing on current Action Group activities (falls, frailty, integrated care and chronic respiratory diseases).

ARIA 2016: Care pathways implementing emerging technologies for predictive medicine in rhinitis and asthma across the life cycle.

The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (1) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (2) to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma and rhinitis and (3) to develop guidelines with all stakeholders that could be used globally for all countries and populations. ARIA-disseminated and implemented in over 70 countries globally-is now focusing on the implementation of emerging technologies for individualized and predictive medicine. MASK [MACVIA (Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif)-ARIA Sentinel NetworK] uses mobile technology to develop care pathways for the management of rhinitis and asthma by a multi-disciplinary group and by patients themselves. An app (Android and iOS) is available in 20 countries and 15 languages. It uses a visual analogue scale to assess symptom control and work productivity as well as a clinical decision support system. It is associated with an inter-operable tablet for physicians and other health care professionals. The scaling up strategy uses the recommendations of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The aim of the novel ARIA approach is to provide an active and healthy life to rhinitis sufferers, whatever their age, sex or socio-economic status, in order to reduce health and social inequalities incurred by the disease.

Reliability study of the sonographic measurement of the acromiohumeral distance in symptomatic patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter- and intra-observer reliability and accuracy of sonographic (US) acromiohumeral distance (AHD) measurement for both experienced and novice operators in US in patients suffering from subacromial impingement syndrome. METHOD: A total of 43 patients (50 shoulders) diagnosed with subacromial impingement syndrome were recruited from an orthopedic outpatient clinic. The US measurement of AHD was obtained consecutively in a neutral position and in a 60 degrees abduction position. A total of 300 blinded measurements were taken. RESULT: In the neutral abduction group the intra- observer interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.94 for the experienced operator and 0.92 for the novice operator. The inter-observer ICC was 0.70 and the accuracy was 1.1 mm. In the 60 degrees abduction group, the intra-observer ICC was 0.90 for the experienced operator and 0.87 for the novice operator. The inter-observer ICC was 0.64 and the accuracy was 1.4 mm. All ICCs were significant at a level of p < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: The inaccuracy of the method was 1 mm regardless of the experience of the observer. US AHD measurement in patients with shoulder complaints is not as accurate as reported in healthy subjects. This may have important implications for the clinical use of this parameter.

The effects of insole configurations on forefoot plantar pressure and walking convenience in diabetic patients with neuropathic feet.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of insole configurations on plantar pressures and on walking convenience in patients with diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: Twelve different insole configurations were constructed for each of 20 patients with diabetic neuropathy. For this, different combinations of a metatarsal dome, varus and valgus wedges and arch supports with different heights were added on a fitted basic insole. Foot orthoses were evaluated while patients walked on a treadmill. Plantar pressure was measured with a Pedar Insole-system. Walking convenience was scored on a 10-point scale. FINDINGS: For the central and medial regions, plantar pressure reductions (up to 36% and 39%, respectively) were found when using a dome, standard and extra supports. The largest reductions were achieved with combination of a dome and extra support. There were no statistically significant pressure reducing effects of the insole configurations in the big toe and lateral regions, except for the effect of the combination extra support/varus wedge (21%), and for a dome (10%), respectively. The basic insole and a standard support received the best ratings for walking convenience and gradually worsened by adding extra support, a varus wedge and a dome. INTERPRETATION: A dome and the supports reduce plantar pressure in the central and medial forefoot. The combination of a dome and extra support seems to be the best choice for the construction of insoles. The results of this study are a step towards developing an evidence-based algorithm for the construction of optimal orthoses in therapeutic shoe design.