It is well recognized that knowledge of allergic conditions is suboptimal in primary care. The Primary Care Interest Group of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology undertook an ...educational needs survey to better understand what they were and how best to meet them, in the primary care environment. An electronic questionnaire was devised and distributed as widely as possible. A total of 2226 people from 63 countries opened the e‐questionnaire of which 692 provided evaluable responses. In total, 81% were medical doctors with 299 possessing additional qualifications. Self‐declared gaps in knowledge were expressed for most manifestations of allergy with a correspondingly high self‐expressed educational need. The preferred learning modalities were online guidelines (69.6%) and courses (68.8%) followed closely by workshops (68%), structured online modules (63.9%) and small local working groups (59.75%). Podcasts and webinars scored poorly with only 25% expressing these as preferred learning modes although there was an age gradient. The preferred electronic platform was the personal computer (82.6%). A better understanding of the needs of primary care should help guide the design of educational initiatives to meet those needs.
Google Trends (GT) searches trends of specific queries in Google and reflects the real‐life epidemiology of allergic rhinitis. We compared Google Trends terms related to allergy and rhinitis in all ...European Union countries, Norway and Switzerland from 1 January 2011 to 20 December 2016. The aim was to assess whether the same terms could be used to report the seasonal variations of allergic diseases. Using the Google Trend 5‐year graph, an annual and clear seasonality of queries was found in all countries apart from Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta. Different terms were found to demonstrate seasonality depending on the country ‐ namely ‘hay fever’, ‘allergy’ and ‘pollen’ – showing cultural differences. A single set of terms cannot be used across all European countries, but allergy seasonality can be compared across Europe providing the above three terms are used. Using longitudinal data in different countries and multiple terms, we identified an awareness‐related spike of searches (December 2016).
The pharmacologic treatment of allergic rhinitis proposed by ARIA is an evidence-based and step-wise approach based on the classification of the symptoms. The ARIA workshop, held in December 1999, ...published a report in 2001 and new information has subsequently been published. The initial ARIA document lacked some important information on several issues. This document updates the ARIA sections on the pharmacologic and anti-IgE treatments of allergic rhinitis. Literature published between January 2000 and December 2004 has been included. Only a few studies assessing nasal and non-nasal symptoms are presented as these will be discussed in a separate document.
There were no significant differences in the number of RW sensitized patients in the 3 cities (Eger-52%, Kecskemet 56%, Nyiregyhaza 54%) but highly significant differences in median RW-specific IgE ...(Eger 5.4, Kecskemet 5.8, and Nyiregyhaza 24.2 kU/L) and similar sensitization patterns for tree (2.6; 5.0 and 10.9 kU/L) or plantain (1.7; 3.5 and 9.6 kU/L) in the 3 cities respectively and no significant differences latex (1.2; 2.6; and 3.6 kU/L) or mustard (1.1; 0.6; and 0. kU/L) respectively.
Humoral immune response seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and in the central nervous system (CNS) complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of the ...present study was to compare the levels of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐alpha), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and IL‐10 in the cerebrospinal fluid of female patients with several forms of MS (50 patients), and in female patients with several types of CNS complications in SLE (50 patients). Samples were investigated using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay technique. Involvement of CNS in SLE patients seems to be characterized with elevated concentrations of all three cytokines in CNS and intrathecal synthesis of IL‐6. In MS patients, an intrathecal synthesis of TNF‐alpha (relapsing–remitting form) and IL‐6 (primary progressive form) were observed. Clinical forms of MS seem to be immunologically heterogeneous. The activation of cytokine network was observed in SLE patients with CNS complications, independent of the pathological process. Similarities between SLE and MS patients with the primary progressive form of the disease were demonstrated concerning the intrathecal synthesis of IL‐6. Only MS patients with the relapsing–remitting clinical form showed intrathecal TNF‐alpha synthesis.
The Spielberger test shows a temporary, mild form of anxiety while the Beck Scale indicates moderately serious depression while the Szondi test results show a high level of anxiety related to a ...feeling of consciousness of guilt, loosing attachments, and feeling inhibited in these individuals being assessed for possible food allergy.
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