Are pediatricians familiar with hereditary angioedema?

Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by recurrent episodes of subcutaneous or mucosal edema caused by excess bradykinin. The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge of pediatricians about hereditary angioedema. Methods: An online survey with 12 HAE-related and 14 demographics-related questions was e-mailed to all pediatricians who were members of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (n = 17 145) once a week during the months of June and July 2021. The electronic questionnaire assessed clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of hereditary angioedema in children and adolescents. Results: Four hundred and fifty-five pediatricians responded to the questionnaire (2.6%), of whom 55 (12.1%) were board certified in Allergy and Immunology (A/I), while 400 (87.9%) were not (N-A/I). Three hundred and sixty-eight (80.9%) were female, 289 (55.7%) were under 50 years of age, 286 (62.9%) graduated from Medical School more than 10 years previously, 83 (18.2%) held an MSc/PhD degree, and 253 (55.6%) were living in the Southeast Region of Brazil. The median number of correct answers to the questions related to HAE among A/I was 7 out of 12 (58.3%), with median ranging from 4.5 to 8 correct answers, while for N-A/I it was 3 (25%), with median ranging from 2.5 to 4 correct answers (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Knowledge about HAE among Brazilian pediatricians, whether board certified in Allergy and Immunology or not, was unsatisfactory. HAE is a rare disease, largely unknown among physicians; therefore, increasing awareness may lead to improvement in diagnosis and treatment.

O omalizumabe no tratamento da urticária no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19 / Omalizumab as urticaria treatment in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

O início da pandemia de COVID-19 foi marcado por incertezas diante do desconhecimento sobre a doença. Uma série de dúvidas relacionadas ao uso de imunobiológicos no contexto da pandemia foi levantada, inclusive em relação ao tratamento com omalizumabe em pacientes com urticária crônica (UC). Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar os dados relacionados à gravidade da COVID-19 e a evolução da urticária em pacientes em terapia com omalizumabe acompanhados por especialistas no Brasil. Foi realizada análise retrospectiva de dados de pacientes com UC tratados com omalizumabe entre julho/2020 e junho/2021 que apresentaram COVID-19. Foram avaliados dados relacionados às características clínicas dos pacientes e evolução da urticária durante a infecção pelo SARS-CoV2. Foram incluídos 28 pacientes em tratamento com omalizumabe, sendo 27 com urticária crônica espontânea (UCE), dos quais 25% tinham alguma urticária induzida associada. A maior parte dos pacientes (71%) estavam utilizando doses quadruplicadas de anti-histamínicos modernos de 2ª geração associados ao omalizumabe. Todos os pacientes estavam com os sintomas controlados. Entre os sintomas apresentados durante a COVID-19, os mais frequentes foram: febre (43%), cefaleia (36%), mal-estar (32%), hipo/anosmia (29%) e tosse (21%). Quatro pacientes foram hospitalizados, um deles em unidade de terapia intensiva. Um paciente relatou piora dos sintomas da UC durante a COVID-19. Cinco (18%) pacientes apresentaram piora dos sintomas da UC após a resolução da COVID-19. Todos os pacientes se recuperaram da COVID-19 sem sequelas graves. O OMA não pareceu aumentar o risco de COVID-19 grave e poderia ser usado com segurança em pacientes com UC.

The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was marked by uncertainty due to lack of knowledge about the disease. Questions were raised about the use of immunobiologicals in the pandemic context, including omalizumab for patients with chronic urticaria (UC). This study assessed COVID-19 severity and the clinical course of urticaria in Brazilian patients on omalizumab therapy who were monitored by specialists. We retrospectively analyzed data from chronic urticaria patients treated with omalizumab between July, 2020 and June, 2021 who presented with COVID- 19. Clinical characteristics and the course of urticaria during SARS-CoV2 infection were analyzed. The sample consisted of 28 patients treated with omalizumab, 27 of whom had chronic spontaneous urticaria (UCE) and 25% of whom had associated chronic inducible urticaria. Most of the patients (71%) were using quadruple doses of second-generation antihistamines associated with omalizumab. The symptoms of all patients were controlled. The most frequent symptoms during COVID-19 were: fever (43%), headache (36%), malaise (32%), hypo/anosmia (29%) and cough (21%). Four patients were hospitalized, including 1 in intensive care. One patient reported worsening chronic urticaria symptoms while infected with COVID-19. Five (18%) patients experienced worsening chronic urticaria symptoms after recovery from COVID-19. All patients recovered from COVID-19 without serious sequelae. Omalizumab did not appear to increase the risk of severe COVID-19 and can be safely used in patients with chronic urticaria.

Assistência a pacientes com doenças imunoalérgicas no Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro ­ Carta de São Paulo / Treating patients with allergic diseases in the Brazilian Unified Health System ­ Letter from São Paulo

O Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) abrange todos os níveis de atenção à saúde e garante acesso integral, universal e gratuito para toda a população brasileira. As transições demográfica e epidemiológica observadas nas últimas décadas trouxeram um cenário de maior prevalência das doenças imunoalérgicas. Nesse contexto, a implementação de políticas de saúde voltadas à assistência à saúde dessa população tornou-se um desafio. Com o objetivo de discutir a atenção à saúde dos pacientes com doenças alérgicas e imunológicas no Brasil, a Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia (ASBAI) realizou em 26 de agosto de 2022, na cidade de São Paulo, o Fórum sobre a Assistência a Pacientes com Doenças Imunoalérgicas no SUS. O evento foi estruturado no formato de painéis e contou com a participação de membros da ASBAI e representantes da gestão pública federal, do Ministério Público, de sociedade de pacientes e profissionais de saúde de diversos serviços com experiência em programas e projetos bem sucedidos na assistência a pacientes com doenças imunoalérgicas. Após a discussão, concluiu-se que ainda existem muitas necessidades não atendidas em relação à atenção à saúde da população com doenças alérgicas e imunológicas no Brasil. A ASBAI tem trabalhado no sentido de contribuir para organizar, implantar e manter a assistência a estes pacientes no âmbito do SUS.

The Brazilian Unified Health System covers all levels of health care and guarantees full, universal and free access for the entire population. The demographic and epidemiological transitions observed in recent decades have led to a higher prevalence of allergic diseases. In this context, implementing health policies to benefit these patients has become a challenge. To discuss health care for patients with allergic and immunological diseases in Brazil, the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology (ASBAI) held a forum in São Paulo on August 26, 2022 called "Treating Patients with Allergic Diseases in the Unified Health System". The event's panels included members of ASBAI, representatives of the federal government, the attorney general's office, patients, and health professionals from various services with experience in successful programs for patients with allergic diseases. It was concluded that there are still many unmet health care needs for Brazilians with allergic and immunological diseases. ASBAI is contributing to the organization, implementation, and maintenance of care for these patients within the scope of the Unified Health System.

Reações adversas aos anticorpos monoclonais para doenças alérgicas / Adverse reactions to monoclonal antibodies in allergic diseases

A utilização de agentes imunobiológicos em alergia e imunologia tem sido cada vez mais frequente nos últimos anos, emergindo como potencialmente eficazes para o tratamento de doenças alérgicas e de hipersensibilidade. O uso de imunobiológicos em doenças alérgicas está recomendado nas formas graves onde a eficácia, segurança e custo-efetividade estão comprovados. O objetivo deste artigo é sintetizar os efeitos adversos mais comuns ou significativos, incluindo as reações de hipersensibilidade aos principais anticorpos monoclonais aprovados para o tratamento de doenças alérgicas licenciados e comercializados no Brasil até o momento.

The use of immunobiological agents in allergy and immunology has increased in recent years, emerging as potentially effective strategies to treat allergic and hypersensitivity diseases. The use of immunobiological agents is recommended in the severe forms of allergic diseases, for which their efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness have been established. The purpose of this study was to summarize the most common or significant adverse effects, including hypersensitivity reactions to the main monoclonal antibodies approved for the treatment of allergic diseases that are currently licensed and marketed in Brazil.

The specialty of allergy and clinical immunology in Brazil.

Objective: To assess the profile of allergist/immunologist (A/I) physicians in Brazil, the workplace, the access to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional practice. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted as an online survey. All adhering members of the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology (ASBAI) received a Google Forms tool by email. The questionnaire addressed sociodemographic and professional aspects of the Brazilian allergists/immunologists (A/I) daily routine. The information was analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. Results: Four hundred and sixty members answered the questionnaire. Women were predominant among the responders (336; 73%), and the median age was 47 years (range, 27-82 years). Most participants worked in the private sector (437, 95%), whereas 256 (47%) worked in the public sector. Among the public sector employees, 210 (82%) reported having access to some diagnostic test for allergic diseases and inborn errors of immunity. Only 91 (35%) A/I physicians in the public system had access to allergen-specific immunotherapy, compared to 416 (95, 9%) of those in the private sector. Regarding biological drugs, 135 (52.7%) and 314 (71.9%) of the A/I physicians working in the public and private sector, respectively, reported access. Two hundred and eighty-three (61.6%) had at least a 50% reduction in the number of consultations, and 245 (56%) provided telemedicine care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Brazilian A/I have incorporated the most recent advances in managing immunoallergic diseases into their clinical practice, but they still have little access to various diagnostic methods. Strategies to enable the presence of A/I in public health services should be discussed and implemented. The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the incorporation of telemedicine as a viable and promising method of medical care and can expand access to the specialty.

Prevalence of the eosinophilic phenotype among severe asthma patients in Brazil: the BRAEOS study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of the eosinophilic and allergic phenotypes of severe asthma in Brazil, as well as to investigate the clinical characteristics of severe asthma patients in the country. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of adult patients diagnosed with severe asthma and managed at specialized centers in Brazil. The study was conducted in 2019. RESULTS: A total of 385 patients were included in the study. Of those, 154 had a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 and 231 had a blood eosinophil count of ≤ 300 cells/mm3. The median age was 54.0 years, and most of the patients were female, with a BMI of 29.0 kg/m2 and a history of allergy (81.6%). The prevalence of patients with a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 was 40.0% (95% CI: 35.1-44.9), and that of those with a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 and a history of allergy was 31.9% (95% CI: 27.3-36.6). Age and BMI showed positive associations with a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 (OR = 0.97, p < 0.0001; and OR = 0.96, p = 0.0233, respectively), whereas the time elapsed since the onset of asthma symptoms showed an increased association with a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 (OR = 1.02, p = 0.0011). CONCLUSIONS: This study allowed us to characterize the population of severe asthma patients in Brazil, showing the prevalence of the eosinophilic phenotype (in 40% of the sample). Our results reveal the relevance of the eosinophilic phenotype of severe asthma at a national level, contributing to increased effectiveness in managing the disease and implementing public health strategies.

Diretrizes brasileiras do angioedema hereditário 2022 ­ Parte 1: definição, classificação e diagnóstico / 2022 Brazilian guidelines for hereditary angioedema ­ Part 1: definition, classification, and diagnosis

O angioedema hereditário é uma doença autossômica dominante caracterizada por crises recorrentes de edema que acometem o tecido subcutâneo e o submucoso, com envolvimento de diversos órgãos. Os principais locais afetados são face, membros superiores e inferiores, as alças intestinais e as vias respiratórias superiores. Em decorrência da falta de conhecimento dessa condição por profissionais de saúde, ocorre atraso importante no seu diagnóstico, comprometendo a qualidade de vida dos indivíduos afetados. Além disso, o retardo no diagnóstico pode resultar em aumento da mortalidade por asfixia devido ao edema de laringe. A natureza errática das crises com variação do quadro clínico e gravidade dos sintomas entre diferentes pacientes, e no mesmo paciente ao longo da vida, se constitui em desafio no cuidado dos doentes que têm angioedema hereditário. O principal tipo de angioedema hereditário é resultante de mais de 700 variantes patogênicas do gene SERPING1 com deficiência funcional ou quantitativa da proteína inibidor de C1, porém nos últimos anos outras mutações foram descritas em seis outros genes. Ocorreram avanços importantes na fisiopatologia da doença e novas drogas para o tratamento do angioedema hereditário foram desenvolvidas. Nesse contexto, o Grupo de Estudos Brasileiro em Angioedema Hereditário (GEBRAEH) em conjunto com a Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia (ASBAI) atualizou as diretrizes brasileiras do angioedema hereditário. O maior conhecimento dos diversos aspectos resultou na divisão das diretrizes em duas partes, sendo nessa primeira parte abordados a definição, a classificação e o diagnóstico.

Hereditary angioedema is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by recurrent attacks of edema that affect the subcutaneous tissue and the submucosa, involving several organs. The main affected sites are the face, upper and lower limbs, gastrointestinal tract, and upper airways. Because health professionals lack knowledge about this condition, there is a significant delay in diagnosis, compromising the quality of life of affected individuals. Furthermore, delayed diagnosis may result in increased mortality from asphyxia due to laryngeal edema. The erratic nature of the attacks with variations in clinical course and severity of symptoms among different patients and in one patient throughout life constitutes a challenge in the care of patients with hereditary angioedema. The main type of hereditary angioedema results from more than 700 pathogenic variants of the SERPING1 gene with functional or quantitative deficiency of the C1 inhibitor protein, but in recent years other mutations have been described in six other genes. Important advances have been made in the pathophysiology of the disease, and new drugs for the treatment of hereditary angioedema have been developed. In this context, the Brazilian Study Group on Hereditary Angioedema (GEBRAEH) in conjunction with the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology (ASBAI) updated the Brazilian guidelines on hereditary angioedema. Greater knowledge of different aspects resulted in the division of the guidelines into two parts, with definition, classification, and diagnosis being addressed in this first part.

Diretrizes brasileiras de angioedema hereditário 2022 ­ Parte 2: terapêutica / 2022 Brazilian guidelines for hereditary angioedema ­ Part 2: therapy

O tratamento do angioedema hereditário tem início com a educação dos pacientes e familiares sobre a doença, pois é fundamental o conhecimento da imprevisibilidade das crises, assim como os seus fatores desencadeantes. O tratamento medicamentoso se divide em terapia das crises e profilaxia das manifestações clínicas. As crises devem ser tratadas o mais precocemente possível com o uso do antagonista do receptor de bradicinina, o icatibanto ou o concentrado de C1-inibidor. É necessário estabeler um plano de ação em caso de crises para todos os pacientes. A profilaxia de longo prazo dos sintomas deve ser realizada preferencialmente com medicamentos de primeira linha, como concentrado do C1-inibidor ou o anticorpo monoclonal anti-calicreína, lanadelumabe. Como segunda linha de tratamento temos os andrógenos atenuados. Na profilaxia de curto prazo, antes de procedimentos que podem desencadear crises, o uso do concentrado de C1-inibidor é preconizado. Existem algumas restrições para uso desses tratamentos em crianças e gestantes que devem ser consideradas. Novos medicamentos baseados nos avanços do conhecimento da fisiopatologia do angioedema hereditário estão em desenvolvimento, devendo melhorar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. O uso de ferramentas padronizadas para monitorização da qualidade de vida, do controle e da atividade da doença são fundamentais no acompanhamento destes pacientes. A criação de associações de pacientes e familiares de pacientes com angioedema hereditário tem desempenhado um papel muito importante no cuidado destes pacientes no nosso país.

The treatment of hereditary angioedema begins with the education of patients and their families about the disease, as it is essential to know the unpredictability of attacks as well as their triggering factors. Drug treatment is divided into attack therapy and prophylaxis of clinical manifestations. Attacks should be treated as early as possible with the bradykinin receptor antagonist icatibant or C1-inhibitor concentrate. An action plan needs to be established for all patients with attacks. Long-term prophylaxis of symptoms should preferably be performed with first-line drugs such as C1-inhibitor concentrate or the anti-kallikrein monoclonal antibody lanadelumab. Attenuated androgens are the second line of treatment. In short-term prophylaxis, before procedures that can trigger attacks, the use of C1-inhibitor concentrate is recommended. There are some restrictions for the use of these treatments in children and pregnant women that should be considered. New drugs based on advances in knowledge of the pathophysiology of hereditary angioedema are under development and are expected to improve patient quality of life. The use of standardized tools for monitoring quality of life and controlling disease activity is essential in the follow-up of these patients. The creation of associations of patients and families of patients with hereditary angioedema has played a very important role in the care of these patients in Brazil.

Poluição do ar e saúde respiratória / Air pollution and respiratory health

O aumento da prevalência de doenças respiratórias crônicas coincide com o da exposição aos poluentes atmosféricos pelo crescente processo de industrialização, aumento do tráfego veicular e migração da população para áreas urbanas. A poluição do ar é uma mistura complexa de poluentes e outros compostos químicos tóxicos e não tóxicos, e o efeito na saúde pode derivar dessa mistura e da interação com parâmetros meteorológicos. Apesar disso, busca-se estabelecer o papel de um poluente específico em separado e consideram-se os parâmetros meteorológicos como fatores de confusão. Há evidências de que a exposição aos poluentes contribui para maior morbidade e mortalidade por doenças respiratórias, especialmente nas crianças, mesmo em concentrações dentro dos padrões estabelecidos pela legislação. Identificar os efeitos dos poluentes no sistema respiratório, isoladamente e em associação, é um desafio, e os estudos têm limitações devido à variabilidade de resposta individual, a presença de doenças pré-existentes, aos fatores socioeconômicos, às exposições a poluentes intradomiciliares, ocupacionais e ao tabaco. A maioria das evidências sobre o efeito dos poluentes no sistema respiratório de crianças deriva de estudos que incluem desfechos de função pulmonar. Entretanto, esses estudos têm diferenças quanto ao desenho, ao método de avaliação de exposição aos poluentes, às medidas de função pulmonar, às covariáveis consideradas como capazes de alterar a resposta aos poluentes e aos tipos de modelos utilizados na análise dos dados. Considerar todas essas diferenças é fundamental na interpretação e comparação dos resultados dessas pesquisas com os dados já existentes na literatura.

The increase in the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases coincides with that of exposure to air pollutants due to the growing industrialization process, increased vehicular traffic and population migration to urban areas. Air pollution is a complex mixture of pollutants and other toxic and non-toxic chemical compounds and its effect on health can derive from this mixture and the interaction with meteorological parameters. Despite this, it seeks to establish the role of a specific pollutant separately and considers the meteorological parameters as confounding factors. There is evidence that exposure to pollutants contributes to greater morbidity and mortality from respiratory diseases, especially in children, even at concentrations within the standards established by legislation. Identifying the effects of pollutants on the respiratory system, alone and in association, is a challenge and studies have limitations due to the variability of individual response, the presence of pre-existing diseases, socioeconomic factors, exposure to indoor, occupational and environmental pollutants as well tobacco. Most of the evidence on the effect of pollutants on the respiratory system of children comes from studies that include lung function outcomes. However, these studies differ in terms of design, method of assessing exposure to pollutants, measures of lung function, covariates considered capable of altering the response to pollutants, and types of models used in data analysis. Considering all these differences is fundamental in interpreting and comparing the results of these researches with data already existing in the literature.

Prevalence of the eosinophilic phenotype among severe asthma patients in Brazil: the BRAEOS study / Prevalência do fenótipo eosinofílico em pacientes com asma grave no Brasil: o estudo BRAEOS

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the prevalence of the eosinophilic and allergic phenotypes of severe asthma in Brazil, as well as to investigate the clinical characteristics of severe asthma patients in the country. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of adult patients diagnosed with severe asthma and managed at specialized centers in Brazil. The study was conducted in 2019. Results: A total of 385 patients were included in the study. Of those, 154 had a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 and 231 had a blood eosinophil count of ≤ 300 cells/mm3. The median age was 54.0 years, and most of the patients were female, with a BMI of 29.0 kg/m2 and a history of allergy (81.6%). The prevalence of patients with a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 was 40.0% (95% CI: 35.1-44.9), and that of those with a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 and a history of allergy was 31.9% (95% CI: 27.3-36.6). Age and BMI showed positive associations with a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 (OR = 0.97, p < 0.0001; and OR = 0.96, p = 0.0233, respectively), whereas the time elapsed since the onset of asthma symptoms showed an increased association with a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 (OR = 1.02, p = 0.0011). Conclusions: This study allowed us to characterize the population of severe asthma patients in Brazil, showing the prevalence of the eosinophilic phenotype (in 40% of the sample). Our results reveal the relevance of the eosinophilic phenotype of severe asthma at a national level, contributing to increased effectiveness in managing the disease and implementing public health strategies.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência dos fenótipos eosinofílico e alérgico da asma grave no Brasil e investigar as características clínicas dos pacientes com asma grave no país. Métodos: Estudo transversal com pacientes adultos com diagnóstico de asma grave atendidos em centros especializados no Brasil. O estudo foi realizado em 2019. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 385 pacientes. Destes, 154 apresentavam contagem de eosinófilos no sangue > 300 células/mm3 e 231 apresentavam contagem de eosinófilos no sangue ≤ 300 células/mm3. A mediana da idade foi de 54,0 anos, e a maioria dos pacientes era do sexo feminino, com IMC de 29,0 kg/m2 e história de alergia (81,6%). A prevalência de pacientes com contagem de eosinófilos no sangue > 300 células/mm3 foi de 40,0% (IC95%: 35,1-44,9), e a daqueles com contagem de eosinófilos no sangue > 300 células/mm3 e história de alergia foi de 31,9% (IC95%: 27,3-36,6). A idade e o IMC apresentaram associações positivas com contagem de eosinófilos no sangue > 300 células/mm3 (OR = 0,97, p < 0,0001 e OR = 0,96, p = 0,0233, respectivamente), ao passo que o tempo decorrido desde o início dos sintomas de asma apresentou associação aumentada com contagem de eosinófilos no sangue > 300 células/mm3 (OR = 1,02, p = 0,0011). Conclusões: Este estudo possibilitou a caracterização da população de pacientes com asma grave no Brasil, mostrando a prevalência do fenótipo eosinofílico (em 40% da amostra). Nossos resultados revelam a relevância do fenótipo eosinofílico da asma grave em nível nacional, contribuindo para aumentar a eficácia no manejo da doença e na implantação de estratégias de saúde pública.

A especialidade de Alergia e Imunologia Clínica no Brasil: como começamos a segunda década do século XXI? / The specialty of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in Brazil: how do we start the second decade of the 21st century?

Introdução: É necessário conhecer a situação de alergistas/ imunologistas nos diferentes cenários de atuação, identificando perfis e eventuais dificuldades. O conhecimento destes dados poderá servir de subsídio para fomentar a implementação de políticas que garantam a integralidade na atenção à saúde do paciente com doenças alérgicas e erros inatos da imunidade (EII). Objetivo: Verificar o perfil dos especialistas em Alergia e Imunologia no Brasil, em relação ao local de atuação, acesso a exames, terapias e o impacto da pandemia COVID-19 sobre o seu exercício profissional. Métodos: Estudo descritivo-exploratório, com dados coletados por inquérito on-line, utilizando-se a ferramenta Google Forms. Todos os associados adimplentes da ASBAI foram convidados a participar. O questionário abordou aspectos sociodemográficos e profissionais. As informações foram analisadas no programa SPSS versão 20.0. Resultados: Quatrocentos e sessenta associados responderam ao questionário. Observou-se predomínio de mulheres (73%), com mediana de idade de 47 anos. A maioria dos participantes atua no setor privado (95%), e 47% no setor público. Aproximadamente 80% dos que atendem no setor público referiram ter acesso a algum exame diagnóstico para doenças alérgicas e EII. Apenas 35% dos especialistas do sistema público têm acesso a imunoterapia alérgeno específica, contra 96% dos que atuam no setor privado. Já aos medicamentos imunobiológicos, 53% e 72% dos especialistas que atuam no serviço público e privado, respectivamente, referiram acesso. Mais de 60% dos associados participantes da pesquisa tiveram redução no número de consultas em pelo menos 50%, e 56% tem realizado atendimento por teleconsulta durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Conclusão: Os associados da ASBAI têm incorporado na sua prática clínica os avanços na terapia das doenças imunoalérgicas, mas vários métodos diagnósticos ainda são pouco acessíveis. A presença do especialista em Alergia e Imunologia no SUS, também precisa ser ampliada. A pandemia do coronavírus trouxe a discussão da telemedicina como um método de atendimento clínico em nossa especialidade.

Introduction: It is necessary to know the situation of allergists/ immunologists in different scenarios of action, identifying profiles and possible difficulties. The knowledge of these data can serve as a subsidy to promote the implementation of policies that ensure comprehensive health care for patients with allergic diseases and inborn errors of immunity (IEI). Objective: To verify the profile of specialists in Allergy and Immunology in Brazil, concerning the place of work, access to tests, therapies, and the impact of the pandemic on their professional practice. Methods: Descriptive-exploratory study, with data collected through an online survey, using the Google Forms tool. All compliant ASBAI members were invited to participate. The questionnaire addressed sociodemographic and professional aspects. The information was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Four hundred and sixty associates answered the questionnaire. Women were predominant (73%), and the median age was 47 years. Most participants work in the private sector (95%) and 47% in the public sector. Approximately 80% of those who work in the public sector reported having access to some diagnostic tests for allergic diseases and IEI. Only 35% of specialists in the public system have access to specific allergen immunotherapy, against 96% of those working in the private sector. As for immunobiological drugs, 53% and 72% of specialists working in the public and private service, respectively, reported access. More than 60% of the members participating in the survey had a reduction in the number of consultations by at least 50% and 56% have been assisted by teleconsultation during the Covid19 pandemic. Conclusion: ASBAI associates have incorporated advances in the therapy of immune allergic diseases into their clinical practice, but several diagnostic methods are still inaccessible. The presence of specialists in Allergy and Immunology in the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS) also needs to be expanded. The coronavirus pandemic brought the discussion of telemedicine as a method of clinical care practice in our specialty.

Intrabreath oscillometry is a sensitive test for assessing disease control in adults with severe asthma.

BACKGROUND: Asthma control is not well reflected by spirometry, yet this is the most frequently used measure of lung function in asthma clinics. Oscillometry is an alternative technique suitable for those with severe asthma. OBJECTIVE: To investigate usefulness of oscillometry in subjects with severe asthma to determine which outcome variables best reflected asthma control. METHODS: Adults with severe asthma were recruited from a severe asthma clinic in Brazil. Oscillometry (conventional multifrequency measurements between 6 and 32 Hz; intrabreath tracking at 8 Hz) and spirometry were performed. Asthma control was determined by the asthma control test. RESULTS: A total of 60 adults were evaluated; mean age was 56.7 years. There was predominance of women (82%), and most patients (63%) reported onset of asthma symptoms in childhood or adolescence. There were no differences between controlled and uncontrolled asthma in spirometry. Uncontrolled asthma was associated with higher resistance (at 8 and 10 Hz) and more negative reactance (for 6, 8, and 10 Hz) (P < .05) on conventional oscillometry. Intrabreath oscillometry revealed significant differences between controlled and uncontrolled patients with asthma (P < .01 for changes in resistance and reactance between end expiration and end inspiration). The accuracy of the lung function tests in discriminating between controlled and uncontrolled asthma was higher for intrabreath variables (area under the curve = 0.65-0.72). CONCLUSION: Oscillometry, particularly the intrabreath technique, better reflected asthma control than spirometry measures. Our findings suggest that oscillometry may be a useful technique to aid management of severe asthma, with a potential to reflect loss of disease control.

Vacinas COVID-19 e imunobiológicos / COVID-19 vaccines and immunobiological drugs

Os medicamentos imunobiológicos têm sido frequentemente utilizados no tratamento das doenças alérgicas e de natureza imunológica. Esses agentes regulam a resposta imunológica do tipo 2 nas doenças alérgicas ou atuam em diversas vias de ativação alteradas nos erros inatos da imunidade. Com o surgimento da pandemia COVID-19 um crescente número de pacientes em uso de imunobiológicos para essas condições deverão ser vacinados contra o vírus SARS-CoV-2. Dessa forma, existe a necessidade de avaliar a segurança e eficácia destas vacinas nos pacientes em uso de imunobiológicos para asma, dermatite atópica, rinossinusite crônica com pólipos nasais, urticária crônica e erros inatos da imunidade. Foi realizada uma busca de literatura recente relevante sobre imunobiológicos e vacinas COVID-19 no PubMed. Existe um consenso de manutenção desses agentes durante a pandemia COVID-19, embora nas doenças alérgicas os mesmos devam ser suspensos durante a infecção ativa. Por outro lado, dados disponíveis em relação à segurança e eficácia das vacinas contra a COVID-19 nesse grupo de pacientes são escassos. Existem relatos do uso de outras vacinas inativadas em associação com alguns imunobiológicos demonstrando serem eficazes e seguras. Portanto, considerando o risco potencial da infecção COVID-19, especialmente nos pacientes portadores de erros inatos da imunidade, recomendamos que as vacinas contra a COVID-19 sejam utilizadas nos pacientes em uso de imunobiológicos. Desta forma, existe uma necessidade de estudos que avaliem estas questões haja vista que a terapia com diversos imunobiológicos tem sido amplamente utilizada nos pacientes com doenças alérgicas e de natureza imunológica.

Immunobiological drugs have often been used to treat allergic and immunological diseases. These agents regulate the type 2 immune response in allergic diseases or act on different activation pathways altered in inborn errors of immunity. With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of patients with these conditions using these agents should be vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these vaccines in patients using biologics for asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, chronic urticaria, and inborn errors of immunity. A search for relevant recent literature on biologics and COVID-19 vaccines was conducted on PubMed. There is a consensus on maintaining the use of these agents during the COVID-19 pandemic, although in allergic diseases they must be suspended during active infection. Conversely, the available data regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines are scarce. There are reports of the use of other inactivated vaccines with some biologics proving to be effective and safe. Therefore, considering the potential risk of COVID-19 infection, especially in patients with inborn errors of immunity, we recommend that COVID-19 vaccines should be used in patients using biologics. Thus, there is a need for studies to assess these issues, given that therapy with several biologics has been widely used in patients with allergic and immunological diseases.

Hereditary angioedema: how to approach it at the emergency department?

Angioedema attacks are common causes of emergency care, and due to the potential for severity, it is important that professionals who work in these services know their causes and management. The mechanisms involved in angioedema without urticaria may be histamine- or bradykinin-mediated. The most common causes of histamine-mediated angioedema are foods, medications, insect sting and idiopathic. When the mediator is bradykinin, the triggers are angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and factors related to acquired angioedema with deficiency of C1-inhibitor or hereditary angioedema, which are less common, but very important because of the possibility of fatal outcome. Hereditary angioedema is a rare disease characterized by attacks of edema that affect the subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes of various organs, manifesting mainly by angioedema and abdominal pain. This type of angioedema does not respond to the usual treatment with epinephrine, antihistamines and corticosteroids. Thus, if not identified and treated appropriately, these patients have an estimated risk of mortality from laryngeal edema of 25% to 40%. Hereditary angioedema treatment has changed dramatically in recent years with the development of new and efficient drugs for attack management: plasma-derived C1 inhibitor, recombinant human C1-inhibitor, bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist (icatibant), and the kallikrein inhibitor (ecallantide). In Brazil, plasma-derived C1 inhibitor and icatibant have already been approved for use. Proper management of these patients in the emergency department avoids unnecessary surgery and, especially, fatal outcomes.

Vacinação contra COVID-19 em pacientes portadores de angioedema hereditário: recomendações do Grupo de Estudos Brasileiro em Angioedema Hereditário (GEBRAEH) / COVID-19 vaccination in patients with hereditary angioedema: recommendations from the Brazilian Group for the Study on Hereditary Angioedema (GEBRAEH)

No curso da pandemia da COVID-19, o desenvolvimento rápido de vacinas seguras e eficazes é a principal estratégia de saúde pública para conter a propagação da doença. Nesse contexto, esclarecimentos em relação à prioridade e segurança da vacinação contra COVID-19 em pacientes portadores de angioedema hereditário (AEH), assim como de outras doenças, são necessários. Todos os pacientes devem receber a vacina seguindo a estratégia do Ministério da Saúde e manter as medidas de higiene, uso de máscaras e distanciamento social até o controle da pandemia.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid development of safe and effective vaccines is the main public health strategy to avoid the spread of the disease. In this context, clarifications regarding the priority and safety of vaccination against COVID-19 in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE), as well as other diseases, are needed. All patients should receive the vaccine according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health strategy and adhere to measures such as maintaining general hygienic measures, wearing masks, and keeping social distance until the pandemic is controlled.

Hereditary angioedema: how to approach it at the emergency department? / Angioedema hereditário: como abordar na emergência?

ABSTRACT Angioedema attacks are common causes of emergency care, and due to the potential for severity, it is important that professionals who work in these services know their causes and management. The mechanisms involved in angioedema without urticaria may be histamine- or bradykinin-mediated. The most common causes of histamine-mediated angioedema are foods, medications, insect sting and idiopathic. When the mediator is bradykinin, the triggers are angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and factors related to acquired angioedema with deficiency of C1-inhibitor or hereditary angioedema, which are less common, but very important because of the possibility of fatal outcome. Hereditary angioedema is a rare disease characterized by attacks of edema that affect the subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes of various organs, manifesting mainly by angioedema and abdominal pain. This type of angioedema does not respond to the usual treatment with epinephrine, antihistamines and corticosteroids. Thus, if not identified and treated appropriately, these patients have an estimated risk of mortality from laryngeal edema of 25% to 40%. Hereditary angioedema treatment has changed dramatically in recent years with the development of new and efficient drugs for attack management: plasma-derived C1 inhibitor, recombinant human C1-inhibitor, bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist (icatibant), and the kallikrein inhibitor (ecallantide). In Brazil, plasma-derived C1 inhibitor and icatibant have already been approved for use. Proper management of these patients in the emergency department avoids unnecessary surgery and, especially, fatal outcomes.

RESUMO As crises de angioedema são causas comuns de atendimentos nas emergências, e devido ao potencial de gravidade, é importante que os profissionais que atuam nesses serviços conheçam suas causas e abordagem. Os mecanismos envolvidos no angioedema sem urticas podem ser histaminérgicos ou mediados por bradicinina. As causas mais comuns de angioedema mediado por histamina são alimentos, medicamentos, ferroada de insetos e idiopática. Quando o mediador é a bradicinina, os desencadeantes são os inibidores da enzima conversora de angiotensina e fatores relacionados ao angioedema adquirido com deficiência do inibidor de C1 ou angioedema hereditário que são menos comuns, mas muito importantes pela possibilidade de desfecho fatal. O angioedema hereditário é uma doença rara, caracterizada por crises de edema que acometem o tecido subcutâneo e mucosas de vários órgãos, manifestando-se principalmente por crises de angioedema e dor abdominal. Esse tipo de angioedema não responde ao tratamento usual com adrenalina, anti-histamínicos e corticosteroides. Assim, se não identificados e tratados adequadamente, esses pacientes têm risco de morte por edema de laringe estimado em 25% a 40%. O tratamento do angioedema hereditário mudou drasticamente nos últimos anos, com o desenvolvimento de novos e eficientes fármacos para as crises: inibidor de C1 derivado de plasma, inibidor de C1 recombinante humano, antagonista do receptor B2 da bradicinina (icatibanto) e o inibidor da calicreína (ecalantide). No Brasil, até o momento, estão liberados para uso o inibidor de C1 derivado de plasma e o icatibanto. O manejo correto desses pacientes na emergência evita cirurgias desnecessárias e, principalmente, desfechos fatais.