Healthcare

Research

Jump to: Other

14 pages, 717 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trends in Anaphylaxis Hospitalizations among Adults in Spain and Their Relationship with Asthma—Analysis of Hospital Discharge data from 2016 to 2021

by Francisco J. Caballero-Segura, Natividad Cuadrado-Corrales, Rodrigo Jimenez-Garcia, Ana Lopez-de-Andres, David Carabantes-Alarcon, Jose J. Zamorano-Leon, Francisco Carricondo, Barbara Romero-Gomez and Javier De-Miguel-Díez

Healthcare 2023, 11(23), 3016; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11233016 - 22 Nov 2023

Viewed by 690

Abstract

(1) Background: Anaphylaxis is a rapid-onset, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction. This study explores the epidemiological trends and clinical outcomes of adult patients with and without asthma hospitalized for anaphylaxis in Spain from 2016 to 2021. (2) Methods: Data from the Spanish National Hospital Discharge [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Anaphylaxis is a rapid-onset, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction. This study explores the epidemiological trends and clinical outcomes of adult patients with and without asthma hospitalized for anaphylaxis in Spain from 2016 to 2021. (2) Methods: Data from the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database (RAE-CMBD) were analyzed. We stratified patients with anaphylaxis based on their asthma diagnosis and evaluated various comorbidities and clinical outcomes. Propensity score matching was used to match confounders. (3) Results: The total number of hospitalizations for anaphylaxis remained stable, with a decrease in 2020 probably due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drug-induced anaphylaxis increased, in addition to being the main triggering factor. Asthma prevalence among those admitted for anaphylaxis emerged from 7.63% to 10.69%, with a higher frequency of respiratory failure and need for mechanical ventilation in this group; despite this, ICU admissions and in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly between asthmatics and non-asthmatics. Asthma was also not a risk factor for severe anaphylaxis. Multivariable analysis identified advanced age, ischemic heart disease, acute respiratory failure, and invasive mechanical ventilation as factors associated with severe anaphylaxis. (4) Conclusions: This study provides valuable information on the complexity of anaphylaxis, its relationship with asthma, and factors influencing its severity. Overall, clinical outcomes did not differ significantly in asthmatic patients compared to non-asthmatic patients, although asthmatic patients had more respiratory complications. Further research is necessary to delve deeper into the multifactorial nature of anaphylaxis and its implications in clinical practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allergy and Immunology in Healthcare)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Frequency of Autoantibodies on Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

by Sonia Guadalupe Barreno-Rocha, Sandra Guzmán-Silahua, Ernesto Germán Cardona-Muñoz, Maria Guadalupe Zavala-Cerna, David Eduardo Muñoz Gaytan, Carlos Riebeling-Navarro, Benjamín Rubio-Jurado and Arnulfo Hernán Nava-Zavala

Healthcare 2023, 11(15), 2210; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11152210 - 06 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1079

Abstract

(1) Background: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is a neoplasm that can significantly compromise the immune system, but timely assessment can change the patient outcome. In cancer, the activation of the immune system could lead to the secretion of autoantibodies. (2) Methods: A retrospective cohort study [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is a neoplasm that can significantly compromise the immune system, but timely assessment can change the patient outcome. In cancer, the activation of the immune system could lead to the secretion of autoantibodies. (2) Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed from 2017 to 2019 in patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosed with a biopsy. (3) Results: We included 39 patients who were newly diagnosed, untreated, and without any autoimmune disease previously reported. Thirty patients had the presence of autoantibodies (antiphospholipid antibodies, anti-cytoplasmic neutrophils antibodies, antinuclear antibodies), and nine were without autoantibodies. There were no statistical differences among groups regarding clinical, demographic, staging, and prognosis characteristics. Also, there were no differences in the outcomes of the patients after finishing chemotherapy and one year after initiating treatment. (4) Conclusions: Further investigations must be conducted regarding an extended panel of autoantibodies because the panel of autoantibodies in this study did not show a relationship between the presence and the clinical outcome of the patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allergy and Immunology in Healthcare)

14 pages, 2408 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Impact of Health Education Intervention on Asthma Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices: A Cross-Sectional Study in Erbil, Iraq

by Karwan Bahram Maulood, Mohammad Khan, Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman and Amer Hayat Khan

Healthcare 2023, 11(13), 1886; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11131886 - 29 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1939

Abstract

Asthma causes chronic coughing, wheezing, dyspnea, and chest pressure. This study assessed asthmatic patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of bronchial asthma and proper education on its meaning, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and prevention practices. We performed a cross-sectional interventional asthma KAP [...] Read more.

Asthma causes chronic coughing, wheezing, dyspnea, and chest pressure. This study assessed asthmatic patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of bronchial asthma and proper education on its meaning, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and prevention practices. We performed a cross-sectional interventional asthma KAP survey in Erbil, Iraq. We adapted a validated study questionnaire from KAP studies in other nations to the Erbil situation and culture. In Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq, two major hospitals’ asthma clinics were studied. We chose 250 asthmatic patients from October 2018 to July 2019. Health education was comprehensive. The health education program used a Kurdish PowerPoint with a printout. Twenty-five groups received two weeks of one-hour health education pre-intervention. Each group was questioned before, 2 weeks after, and 12 weeks after health education. All data were analyzed by SPSS v26. The mean age of the respondents was 37.52 ± 15.16, with 48.7% of the respondents having a positive family history of asthma. After 2 weeks of health education intervention, respondents had a higher knowledge score and positive attitudes compared to pre-education, and after 12 weeks of education, there was a significant difference (p < 0.001) with improvised prevention practice. Health education programs led to considerable improvements in asthmatic patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding their condition. After receiving health education for a period of two weeks, the majority of the participants answered correctly regarding asthma, its causes, and the elements that trigger asthma attacks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allergy and Immunology in Healthcare)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Awareness of Food Allergies and Allergens on the Menus of Restaurants and Cafes among Saudi Female University Students

by Ghzail M. Aljameel, Sahar Abdulaziz AlSedairy, Manal Abdulaziz Binobead, Maha H. Alhussain, Manar Abdulaziz Bin Obaid, Laila Naif Al-Harbi, Ghedeir M. Alshammari and Shaista Arzoo

Healthcare 2023, 11(9), 1259; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091259 - 28 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1503

Abstract

Exposure to allergens could be life-threatening for people with food allergies. Restaurants and cafes are challenging environments for accommodating food allergies. This study aimed to measure King Saud University female students’ awareness about food allergens on restaurants’ and cafes’ menus. This cross-sectional study [...] Read more.

Exposure to allergens could be life-threatening for people with food allergies. Restaurants and cafes are challenging environments for accommodating food allergies. This study aimed to measure King Saud University female students’ awareness about food allergens on restaurants’ and cafes’ menus. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 379 students aged 18 years and above. A paper-based questionnaire was used, which comprised 16 questions related to the definition of food allergies, food allergens, and food allergy symptoms; the definition and prevention of cross-contact of food allergies; emergency treatment procedures for food allergies; strategies for the prevention of food allergy reactions; customer expectations towards restaurants; and preventive measures taken for food allergies. The results indicate that the overall average score of food allergen awareness was 10.90, which falls in the higher range. Furthermore, female students in the age groups of 23 to 27 years and 33 to 37 years had higher levels of awareness than female students in the age group of 18 to 22 years. The results also showed that the level of awareness among science college and health college students was statistically significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that among humanities college students. Post-graduate students also showed a higher level of awareness of food allergens than bachelor’s students. These findings also indicate that listing all allergens in the restaurants and cafes’ menus statistically significantly (p < 0.05) increased the level of awareness of female students about food allergens on restaurants’ and cafes’ menus, compared to restaurants and cafes that do not list all allergens on their menus. In general, female students at King Saud University showed a high level of awareness about food allergies on restaurants’ and cafes’ menus. The study recommends assessing the impact of awareness of female students with and without food allergies on their practices and behaviors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allergy and Immunology in Healthcare)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 407 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Knowledge of, Attitudes towards, and Practices of Intranasal Corticosteroids Usage among the Allergic Rhinitis Patients of Northern Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Abdullah N. Al-Rasheedi

Healthcare 2023, 11(4), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11040537 - 11 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1110

Abstract

Intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) are generally safe and effective treatments for allergic rhinitis (AR). The improper use of INCS may not alleviate AR symptoms, and it could lead to complications and an impaired quality of life. We evaluated the knowledge of, attitudes towards, and [...] Read more.

Intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) are generally safe and effective treatments for allergic rhinitis (AR). The improper use of INCS may not alleviate AR symptoms, and it could lead to complications and an impaired quality of life. We evaluated the knowledge of, attitudes towards, and practices of INCS usage and associated factors among AR patients using a pretested Arabic questionnaire. Of the 400 participating AR patients, 39.3%, 29.0%, and 36.5% had poor scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice, respectively. We found a significant association between knowledge and education (p < 0.001) and follow-up facilities (p = 0.036). The attitude category was significantly associated with age (p = 0.003), marital status (p = 0.004), and type of allergic patients (p < 0.001), and the practice category was significantly associated with education (p = 0.027), type of allergic patients (p = 0.008), and follow-up facilities (p = 0.030). Smoking status was significantly associated with all three categories. Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between knowledge and practice scores (Spearman’s rho of 0.451, p < 0.001). We recommend improving AR patients’ knowledge of the proper practices of INCS through health education programs. Furthermore, we recommend an exploratory mixed-method survey on the INCS usage among AR patients that involves other provinces in the KSA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allergy and Immunology in Healthcare)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

8 pages, 211 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Successful Desensitization to Sorafenib and Imatinib—A Report of Two Cases and a Literature Review

by Natasa Kusic, Vesna Tomic Spiric, Snezana Arandjelovic, Aleksandra Peric Popadic, Ivana Bozic Antic, Milan Dimitrijevic, Rada Miskovic, Ljiljana Stefanovic and Aleksandra Plavsic

Healthcare 2024, 12(6), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12060601 - 07 Mar 2024

Viewed by 493

Abstract

Background: Drug desensitization allows for safe administration of a drug to a patient with a previous hypersensitivity reaction. Successful desensitization protocols have been described for different medications, including protocols for oncology patients. Few cases of desensitization to sorafenib and imatinib have been described [...] Read more.

Background: Drug desensitization allows for safe administration of a drug to a patient with a previous hypersensitivity reaction. Successful desensitization protocols have been described for different medications, including protocols for oncology patients. Few cases of desensitization to sorafenib and imatinib have been described in the literature so far. Objective: The objective of this paper is to describe the process of the sorafenib and imatinib drug hypersensitivity diagnosis and desensitization process in two patients. Methods: Two oncology patients who experienced non-immediate hypersensitivity reactions to sorafenib and imatinib underwent desensitization to these drugs. We designed a protocol for the first patient and used a modified protocol from the literature for the second patient. Results: By using a slow desensitization technique and gradual tapering of corticosteroids and antihistamines, both patients reached the target dose of the incriminated drug. Conclusions: Desensitization to sorafenib and imatinib can be an effective therapeutic option in patients with hypersensitivity to those medications, without alternative treatment options. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allergy and Immunology in Healthcare)

12 pages, 2633 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, A Serious Side Effect of Tenoxicam Use: A Case Report

by Tiberiu Paul Neagu, Mirela Tiglis, Ileana Peride and Andrei Niculae

Healthcare 2023, 11(15), 2195; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11152195 - 03 Aug 2023

Viewed by 2321

Abstract

Tenoxicam, a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and is frequently used for out-of-hospital pain control. Even though other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were incriminated in Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) appearance, the literature is scarce regarding [...] Read more.

Tenoxicam, a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and is frequently used for out-of-hospital pain control. Even though other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were incriminated in Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) appearance, the literature is scarce regarding this agent. We report a case of tenoxicam-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis, detailing the multidisciplinary approach in a patient presenting skin detachment of 90% of the total body surface area, with concomitant ocular, oral, nasal, and vaginal mucosae involvement. A skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. The immediate cessation of the incriminated drug and rapid initiation of systemic steroids, along with topical therapies, and isolation into a specific environmental condition to limit skin infection were the cornerstones of therapeutic management. The patient was discharged with skin hyperpigmentation area and mild anxiety as long-term sequels. This report emphasized that severe or complicated cases should be transferred to a specialized burn center to reduce mortality risk and long-term morbidity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allergy and Immunology in Healthcare)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 2142 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Reflectance Confocal Microscopy in Monitoring Atopic Dermatitis Treated with Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors

by Dalia Bratu, Daniel Boda and Constantin Caruntu

Healthcare 2023, 11(2), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11020152 - 04 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1963

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with multiple allergies in the atopic march. It has a complex pathogenesis, related to genetic, immune, and environmental factors. Its incidence and prevalence are increasing in the last decades, especially in developed countries. It [...] Read more.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with multiple allergies in the atopic march. It has a complex pathogenesis, related to genetic, immune, and environmental factors. Its incidence and prevalence are increasing in the last decades, especially in developed countries. It affects the quality of life due to the recurrent lesions and the associated pruritus. Thus, it is very important to use non-invasive techniques to manage and follow-up the patients with such a heterogenous disease that can have a high impact on some of them. The reflectance confocal microscope is a modern device for in vivo visualization of the epidermis and the upper dermis which could replace in some cases the cutaneous biopsy. We report a case of a patient with atopic dermatitis investigated with the confocal reflectance microscope at the beginning of the topical treatment with calcineurin inhibitors and three weeks after, with favorable evolution. Reflectance confocal microscopy allows the assessment of the dynamic changes in the skin during treatment. Moreover, it can be useful for highlighting discrete changes even in the subclinical stages of the inflammatory process. Future developments, which will lead to the definition and validation of reflectance confocal microscopy criteria for the diagnosis and staging of atopic dermatitis, could help to improve the treatment and prevention strategies of the disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allergy and Immunology in Healthcare)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Allergy and Immunology in Healthcare

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Other

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI