Newswise — Researchers are presenting nearly 350 abstracts on investigational findings in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases at the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Dallas, Nov. 8-14. Following are highlights of some key studies on allergic asthma.
"Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis Treated Successfully with Omalizumab: Three Case Reports." (Abstract #18: Nov. 11 at 1:15 p.m.) " Jennifer S. Collins, M.D., New York, N.Y., et al " Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) occurs in 1 to 8 percent of patients with asthma. Corticosteroid treatment is a standard treatment for ABPA, but it can be ineffective and can have serious side effects. Presenting three cases, investigators demonstrate that anti-IgE therapy may prove to be an effective alternative for this difficult to treat disease. Authors report there is only one case of ABPA treated with anti-IgE therapy in the literature to their knowledge
"Course of Acute Bronchiolitis in Overweight Young Children with Atopic Dermatitis." (Abstract #19: Nov. 11 at 1:30 p.m.) " Sergei V. Gerasimov, M.D., Lviv, Ukraine, et al " Although there is growing evidence that obese children are more prone to have asthma than their normal weight counterparts, no information is available on the course of early wheezing in infants at risk of asthma according to the authors. This preliminary study of 42 young boys and girls aged 6 to 36 months with acute bronchiolitis and concomitant atopic dermatitis is the first to show that overweight status worsens the course of acute bronchiolitis in young children with atopic dermatitis.
"Effect of Changes in Weight on Asthma-Related Health Outcomes in Patients with Severe or Difficult-to-Treat Asthma." (Abstract #23: Nov. 11 at 2:30 p.m.) " Tmirah Haselkorn, Ph.D., South San Francisco, et al " Obesity is a known risk factor for incident asthma, and is associated with increased asthma severity. However, investigators state that the effects of body weight changes on asthma-related health outcomes have not been studied extensively. Analyzing data from 2,396 adult patients from the TENOR 3-year observational study, they conclude that gaining five or more pounds over one year was associated with an increased risk of poorly controlled asthma, steroid bursts, and worse quality of life in patients with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma.
"High Prevalence of Uncontrolled Asthma in Adults: A Longitudinal Assessment of Asthma Control." (Abstract #P14: Nov. 10-11, Noon " 1:00 p.m.) " Richard H. Stanford, PharmD, Research Triangle Park, N.C., et al " In this population-based study of 558 adult patients, authors found uncontrolled asthma was highly prevalent regardless of season or baseline symptom burden, even among those regarded as intermittent. Overall, 86.5 percent of patients with persistent asthma exhibited uncontrolled asthma at least once during the follow-up. Authors conclude that regular assessment of asthma control with appropriate adjustment of therapy and avoidance of triggers may reduce asthma morbidity.
"A Pilot Project of Personalized Asthma Action Plan in the MP3 Format for Asthmatics with Low Literacy." (Abstract #P24: Nov. 10-11, Noon " 1:00 p.m.., Clinical Connect Program) " Li Ling Tan, BHSN, Singapore, et al " In this pilot project with seven asthmatics with low literacy who were unable to read a written asthma action plan, an asthma educator downloaded their personalized audio asthma action plan in the subject's spoken language to an MP3 player loaned to them, and provided instructions on its use. Feedback on the project was obtained from the subjects using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Six (84 percent) gave a favorable overall rating for the project, citing that the recordings had improved their knowledge and skills of managing their disease, increased their self-confidence in self-managing their asthma, improved their asthma care and improved their quality of life. All 6 subjects found the MP3 player was easy to use and convenient.
"Precision of Exhaled Nitric Oxide Measurements in Hospitalized Pediatric Asthmatics." (Abstract #P30: Nov. 10-11, Noon " 1:00 p.m.) " Farah I. Khan, M.D., Detroit, Mich., et al " Authors report that asthma is one of the leading causes of pediatric hospital admissions across the country. Although fraction of exhaled nitric oxide is a non-invasive biomarker of airway inflammation which is gaining importance in the management of asthma, its reproducibility in the inpatient setting has not previously been examined. In this study of 63 asthmatics between the ages of 6 and 17 years, investigators demonstrate that exhaled nitric oxide can successfully be performed by over 90 percent of hospitalized pediatric patients using the handheld NIOX MINO machine.
About the American College of Allergy, Asthma and ImmunologyThe ACAAI is a professional medical organization headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill., that promotes excellence in the practice of the subspecialty of allergy and immunology. The College, comprising more than 5,000 allergists-immunologists and related health care professionals, fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research.
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