Performance of EAST in diagnosing inhalant allergens in children with allergic rhinitis

The performance of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (EAST) for identifying six indoor allergens was evaluated using skin prick test (SPT) as reference tests in 154 children with allergic rhinitis. Sensitivity of EAST ranged from 9% (cat) to 54% (HDM) with specificity of 74%(cockroach) to 100% (cat) with an agreement ranged from 58 to 86%. Cut off values ?> ?0.35 kU/L showed best sensitivity and specificity. Our findings agree with extant literature which suggests that the ability of EAST to determine the precipitating allergen is moderate. Assays for definitively identifying the inhalant allergen are currently not available.     

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.     

ECFS standards of care on CFTR-related disorders: Updated diagnostic criteria

This paper is the first in a series providing updated guidance on the definition, evaluation and management of people with a Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR)-Related Disorder (CFTR-RD). The need for this update relates to more precise characterisation of CFTR gene variants and improved assessment of CFTR protein dysfunction. The exercise is co-ordinated by the European CF Society Standards of Care Committee and Diagnostic Network Working Group and involves stakeholder engagement. This first paper was produced by a core group using an extensive literature review and papers graded for their quality. Subsequent wider stakeholder agreement was achieved.The definition of a CFTR-RD remains “a clinical condition with evidence of CFTR protein dysfunction that does not fulfil the diagnostic criteria for CF”. Clearer guidance on CFTR dysfunction and relevant CFTR variants will be provided. Thresholds for clinical presentations are presented and the paradigm that pathobiological processes may be evident in more than one organ is agreed. In this paper we reflect on the early patient journey, highlighting that CF specialists as well as other relevant specialists should be involved in the care of people with a CFTR-RD.     

CT引导下经蝶腭穴芒针透刺蝶腭神经节治疗变应性鼻炎的临床观察*

目的观察CT引导下经蝶腭穴芒针透刺蝶腭神经节治疗变应性鼻炎的临床疗效。方法 将72例变应性鼻炎患者随机分为试验组和对照组，试验组采用CT引导下经蝶腭穴芒针透刺蝶腭神经节；对照组采用常规针刺蝶腭穴及常规穴位，疗程结束后评定临床疗效。结果 试验组的总有效率为94.44%，对照组的总有效率为77.78%，差异具有统计学意义。试验组的指标改善均优于对照组。结论 在CT引导下，采用芒针透刺蝶腭神经节治疗变应性鼻炎，其治疗方法颇具特色，提高了透刺蝶腭神经节的准确性及安全性，从而为非CT引导时透刺的角度与深度提供了一定的参考依据。     

针灸联合西药对中重度间歇性过敏性鼻炎患者T淋巴细胞亚群、IL-4、IL-10、VACM-1水平的影响

目的观察针灸联合西药对中重度间歇性过敏性鼻炎患者血清T淋巴细胞亚群、炎性因子及血管细胞黏附分子-1(VACM-1)的影响。方法将120例中重度间歇性过敏性鼻炎患者随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组60例。对照组予丙酸氟替卡松鼻喷雾剂、盐酸氮卓斯汀片治疗,治疗组在对照组治疗措施的基础上加用针灸疗法。两组疗程均为28天,观察临床疗效,比较中医证候积分、血清T淋巴细胞亚群、炎性因子[白介素-4(IL-4)、白介素-10(IL-10)]及VACM-1水平的变化情况。结果①治疗组、对照组总有效率分别为95.0%、81.7%,治疗组临床疗效优于对照组(P0.05)。②治疗前与疗程结束后7天组内比较,两组中医证候(鼻塞不通、鼻痒难耐、鼻流清涕、喷嚏频作)较治疗前改善(P0.05);组间疗程结束后7天比较,治疗组中医证候改善情况优于对照组(P0.05)。③治疗前与疗程结束后7天组内比较,两组血清CD3~+、CD4~+水平和CD4~+/CD8~+较治疗前升高(P0.05),血清CD8~+、IL-4、IL-10、VCAM-1水平较治疗前降低(P0.05);组间疗程结束后7天比较,上述指标差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论针灸联合西医治疗中重度间歇性过敏性鼻炎疗效满意,可有效缓解患者的临床症状,改善机体免疫状态,减轻炎症反应。     

中医外治法治疗过敏性鼻炎的临床研究近况

参照近10年相关文献,对治疗过敏性鼻炎的中医外治法进行了梳理分析,总结了临床常用的外治法有针刺疗法、灸法、穴位贴敷、穴位注射、穴位埋线、推拿疗法、特色疗法、局部给药及综合疗法,并分析了各自的优势及有效性,以期为临床治疗过敏性鼻炎提供借鉴。     

基于针法组合优化研究针刺蝶腭穴结合谢氏“温督祛霾”针法治疗变应性鼻炎的疗效与机制

摘要: 目的 观察针刺蝶腭穴结合谢氏“温督祛霾”针法治疗变应性鼻炎的临床疗效，评估该疗法的有效性、安全性及治疗机制，并形成规范化治疗方案。方法 将120例经中医辨证为虚寒型的变应性鼻炎患者随机分为两组各60例，治疗组选用针刺蝶腭穴结合谢氏“温督祛霾”针法，对照组选用针刺蝶腭穴的方法，4周为1疗程。结果 治疗4 周后治疗组显效率为86.67%,对照组显效率为61.67%，差异有统计学意义；治疗组与对照组在疗程结束及显效以上随访的症状体征积分比较差异有统计学意义；治疗组与对照组疗后实验室指标外周血 EOS、血清IgE对比差异有统计学意义。结论 针刺蝶腭穴结合谢氏“温督祛霾”针法的二者组合，优势互补，优于单一疗法单刺蝶腭穴，且能明显降低患者血清中EOS、IgE计数。