Filiform needle acupuncture for allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundFiliform needle acupuncture (FNA), the most classical and widely applied acupuncture method based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, has shown a promising effect in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR).ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy, safety, cost-effectiveness, and patient preference of FNA in the treatment of AR by comparing FNA with sham acupuncture, no treatment, and conventional medication.Search strategyEight electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to October 14, 2021. Additional studies were acquired from clinical trial registration platforms and reference lists.Inclusion criteriaRandomized controlled trials were included if they compared FNA with either sham acupuncture, no treatment or conventional medication for AR.Data extraction and analysisTwo researchers extracted data independently of each other using a predesigned data acquisition form, and results were cross-checked after completion. The primary outcome was symptom score (Total Nasal Symptom Score or Visual Analogue Scale), and the secondary outcomes were the AR control questionnaire, quality of life (QoL) score (Different versions of Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire), medication score (use of rescue medication), mental health score, total IgE, adverse event rate, clinical economic indicators, and patient satisfaction score. Standardized mean difference (SMD) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval was used to calculate the effect size for continuous data, while risk ratio with 95% CI was used for dichotomous data.ResultsThirty studies were included in this review. Compared with sham acupuncture, FNA significantly reduced the symptom score (SMD: ?0.29 [?0.43, ?0.15]), AR’s impact on QoL (SMD: ?0.23 [?0.37, ?0.08]) and medication score (SMD: ?0.3 [?0.49, ?0.11]). Compared with no treatment, FNA dramatically reduced the symptom score (SMD: ?0.8 [?1.2, ?0.39]) and AR’s impact on QoL (SMD: ?0.82 [?1.13, ?0.52]). There were no increased rates of adverse events with FNA compared to sham acupuncture and no treatment. FNA increased patient satisfaction and may be cost-effective. Most pieces of evidence from the above two comparisons were of high confidence. Moreover, FNA significantly outperformed conventional medication in reducing the symptom score (SMD: ?0.48 [?0.85, ?0.1]) and displayed a lower rate of adverse events, but the quality of evidence was very low.ConclusionFNA is an effective and safe intervention for AR and can help with symptom relief, QoL improvement, reducing medication usage, and increasing patient satisfaction. Further studies are needed to verify its cost-effectiveness and superiority over conventional medication and the best therapeutic strategies.     

New drugs in early-stage clinical trials for allergic rhinitis

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common allergic disease, and it has a relevant impact on the quality of life of the patient. Treatment of AR includes a combination of strategies of proven efficacy and effectiveness; however, a relevant proportion of patients remain uncontrolled.

Areas covered: This review article summarizes emerging therapeutic approaches to AR; these approaches include nasal sprays, oral drugs, alternative allergen immunotherapy administration routes, and biologic agents.

Expert opinion: The agents discussed require further clinical trials to prove their efficacy in the treatment of AR. Some of these agents, in particular, allergen immunotherapies and biologics, have the potential to form crucial precision medicine approaches to AR. Those that prove their efficacy in clinical trials must also be evaluated from a pharmacoeconomic perspective, possibly in real-life studies; this will define which therapeutic strategies achieve the most convenient and cost-effective ratio, thus yielding a novel opportunity for the most severe and previously treatment-resistant allergic patients.     

Trends in skin prick test according to seasons: Results of a Korean multi-center study

ObjectiveAllergy is a very common condition. Allergic disease is highly affected by environmental changes. Conditions of the four seasons can change dramatically in Republic of Korea (ROK). To assess changes in rates of aeroallergen positivity according to seasons and environmental factors (temperature, humidity, and precipitation).MaterialsA total of 20 hospitals were selected based on population distribution in ROK. A skin prick test (SPT) panel comprising 55 aeroallergens was distributed to 18 hospitals for a prospective study. Results from SPTs done in 2006 and 2010 were collected and analyzed retrospectively from 20 hospitals and 2014/2015 SPT (from June 2014 to May 2015) results from 18 hospitals were collected prospectively.ResultsWe compared allergen-positive rates among seasons. Positive test rates for several pollens and house dust mites increased significantly in spring and fall. Pollens positive rate varied significantly according to temperature, precipitation, and humidity while mite allergens were less susceptible to environment.ConclusionThere are four distinct seasons in ROK. The positivity of pollen allergens were especially affected by temperature and precipitation in spring. House dust mites were less affected by seasons, temperature, precipitation, and humidity less than pollen. Therefore, regular follow-up and re-evaluation of allergic test are essential considering changes of seasons and environment for acceptable diagnosis and treatment.     

穴位重灸治疗变应性鼻炎临床研究

目的观察穴位重灸治疗变应性鼻炎(AR)的临床疗效。方法将180例AR患者按照随机数字表法分为2组。治疗组90例予穴位重灸治疗;对照组90例予布地奈德鼻喷雾剂治疗。2组均连续治疗4周,疗程结束后20周随访。比较2组治疗前后症状评分变化、鼻结膜炎生活质量问卷(RQLQ)评分变化,评价近期疗效和远期复发率。结果2组治疗后症状评分及总评分均较本组治疗前降低(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后鼻塞症状改善优于对照组(P<0.05),对照组治疗后喷嚏症状改善优于治疗组(P<0.05)。2组治疗后RQLQ评分均较本组治疗前降低(P<0.05),且治疗组活动评分改善优于对照组(P<0.05),对照组非鼻/眼症状、实际问题、情感评分改善优于治疗组(P<0.05)。治疗组总有效率85.2%(75/88),对照组总有效率82.8%(72/88),2组近期疗效相当(P>0.05)。随访时,治疗组复发率72.5%(58/80),对照组复发率92.6%(75/81),对照组复发率高于治疗组(P<0.05)。结论穴位重灸治疗AR,能改善患者症状及生活质量,近期疗效与布地奈德鼻喷雾剂治疗相当,但远期疗效更优。     

龙胆泻肝胶囊治疗肝胆湿热型分泌性中耳炎临床研究

目的:研究龙胆泻肝胶囊治疗肝胆湿热型分泌性中耳炎(SOM)的效果。方法:选取78例肝胆湿热型分泌性中耳炎患者,按随机数字表法分为试验组和对照组各39例。2组均采用鼓膜穿刺术治疗,对照组术后给予头孢克洛和氯雷他定抗感染治疗,试验组给予龙胆泻肝胶囊。评价2组治疗效果,检测治疗前后血清干扰素γ(IFN-γ)和白细胞介素-4(IL-4)水平,计算IFN-γ/IL-4,进行中医证候评分,观察患耳含积液情况。结果:试验组总有效率为92.31%,高于对照组71.79%(P<0.05)。治疗前,2组IFN-γ、IL-4和IFN-γ/IL-4比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗后,2组IFN-γ、IL-4和IFN-γ/IL-4较治疗前降低,且试验组IFN-γ、IL-4和IFN-γ/IL-4均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗前,2组各项中医症状评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗后,2组各项中医症状评分及总分较治疗前降低,试验组各项中医症状评分及总分均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。试验组耳内含积液率为71.79%,低于对照组89.74%(P<0.05)。结论:采用龙胆泻肝胶囊治疗肝胆湿热型分泌性中耳炎,疗效令人满意,能够显著改善患者症状,可下调IFN-γ、IL-4表达,调节Th1/Th2平衡,值得临床推广应用。     

Contact sensitization in children with atopic dermatitis

Background

Atopic dermatitis is a common illness in childhood. Children with atopic dermatitis are prone to develop cutaneous sensitization due to skin barrier dysfunction.