{"title":"Comparative study of effectiveness of autologous serum and histaglobulin in autologous serum skin test positive and negative cases of chronic urticaria","authors":"A. Chaudhari, Hita H. Mehta, N. Agrawal","doi":"10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_33_18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_33_18","url":null,"abstract":"AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to compare the effectiveness of autologous serum therapy (AST) with histaglobulin in patients of chronic urticaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, comparative, randomized controlled, single-blinded study. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients were selected and divided into two groups by randomization. Autologous serum skin test was done in each patient irrespective of their groups. Group A (n = 30) received AST and Group B (n = 30) received histaglobulin. Patients' assessment was done every week for urticaria activity score (UAS) for 8 weeks. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We used Mann–Whitney test to compare the means between two groups. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pre- and posttreatment UAS scores. RESULTS: Both therapies reduced UAS significantly (P = 0.01) at 8 weeks, and the reduction was observed every week. AST reduced UAS more than histaglobulin. However, within intergroup, difference was not significant. All patients had reduced severity of urticaria; however, complete remission (UAS = 0) was observed in three patients of Group A. CONCLUSION: Group A (AST) showed statistically significant improvement than Group B (histaglobulin), but both showed a reduction in UAS with a longer treatment-free interval.","PeriodicalId":53075,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology","volume":"72 1","pages":"25 - 31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83946920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Applicability of established regression equations in the prediction of peak expiratory flow rate in Indian adults","authors":"Himel Mondal, Shaikat Mondal, Amita Panigrahi, Sarika Mondal","doi":"10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_25_18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_25_18","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) helps in the assessment of airflow limitation. Its relationship with age and height has been established in several previous studies with different sample size in different regions from India. A large-scale study (in 2014) established a set of regression equations with a national level reference regression equation. AIM: The aim of this study was to check the applicability of established regression equations in the prediction of PEFR in apparently healthy young adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 104 young adults (males = 55, females = 49). PEFR (L/min) was measured using computerized spirometer. Established regression equations from the previous study were used to predict PEFR from the age and height of the participants. Measured PEFR values were compared with predicted values by the paired t-test with α = 0.05. Further, the prediction was considered “comparable” if the value was <±10% of the measured value. RESULTS: Measured versus predicted mean PEFR (from regression equation established for adult Indian national) for male was 481.99 ± 63.52 L/min versus 496.04 ± 20.70 L/min (P = 0.096) and female was 365.19 ± 61.36 L/min versus 336.82 ± 13.78 L/min (P < 0.001). In male, 54.55% and in female, 44.90% was comparable prediction from regression equation established for Indian adult national. CONCLUSION: Estimated PEFR in male showed fair comparable prediction and female showed poor comparable prediction. Further studies, including all Indian states with a large sample, may help in the establishment of more accurate prediction equations.","PeriodicalId":53075,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology","volume":"26 1","pages":"39 - 44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79159997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Allergy asthma practice in India: Beyond the guidelines “Shivpuri Oration 2017”","authors":"P. Mahesh","doi":"10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_3_19","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_3_19","url":null,"abstract":"This article summarizes two decades of allergy and asthma research in Mysore, South India, encompassing epidemiologic, mechanistic and biomarker studies as well as diagnostic and prognostic studies. The deficiencies of some of the current guidelines in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases. Two of the most important considerations for future guidelines are to adopt the concept of progression of allergic disease and discuss plans to prevent or mitigate them to reduce the burden of morbidity as well as the enormous costs that go along with disease progression. The other is to consider serial spirometry for the diagnosis of asthma and COPD in difficult to diagnose subjects. The future directions for research in the field are discussed.","PeriodicalId":53075,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology","volume":"10 1","pages":"8 - 13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75078046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of inhalational anti-asthmatic medications on oral health between 7 and 14 years of age","authors":"S. Konde, M. Agarwal, R. Chaurasia","doi":"10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_16_18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_16_18","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease, usually characterized by chronic airway inflammation. The World Health Organization considers asthma as the most important chronic respiratory disease of the childhood. Aim: The aim of this study was to observe the changes in oral health and salivary pH, of asthmatic children aged between 7 and 14 years, treated with different combinations of inhaled medication. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 children aged between 7 and 14 years were divided into two groups of which 60 were asthmatic children and the rest 60 were nonasthmatic which were served as control group. Dental caries was assessed using decayed missing filled tooth (DMFT) index for permanent teeth and decayed extracted filled tooth (DEFT) index for primary teeth. Oral hygiene status was determined by simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) and modified (OHI-S) index for primary teeth. The resting salivary pH was estimated using pH strips and comparison was made between both groups. Results: The mean value of dental caries (DMFT and DEFT) was found to be significantly higher among study group compared to control group (P < 0.05), while for salivary pH, it was significantly lower among the study group compared to control (P < 0.05), whereas oral hygiene status was statistically not significant in relation to anti-asthmatic medications. Conclusions: Children with asthma have higher caries prevalence, lower salivary pH compared to the control group, which can be due to use of anti-asthmatics medications.","PeriodicalId":53075,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology","volume":"442 1","pages":"70 - 73"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76463112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vikramjeet Singh, Varun Kaul, R. Harish, Nirlep Kaur, S. Rai, Shilpa Bansal, S. Raina
{"title":"Air pollution and respiratory dysfunction among adolescents: A case–control study from North West India","authors":"Vikramjeet Singh, Varun Kaul, R. Harish, Nirlep Kaur, S. Rai, Shilpa Bansal, S. Raina","doi":"10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_6_18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_6_18","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Children are vulnerable to the effects of air pollution because of immature organ system and immune system. Air pollutants can lead to both upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms. Methodology: Adolescents in the age group of 10–19 years children from residential areas with established maximal and low pollution levels as reported by State Pollution Control Board were included in the study using age-, sex-, weight-, and height-matched case–control study design. For the assessment of respiratory dysfunction, the values of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, and forced expiratory flow (FEF) 25%–75% were included in this study. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated to ascertain the strength of association. Results: The distribution of abnormalities for a restrictive pattern in males in polluted group was 42% as compared to 29% in low polluted group (P = 0.007). The mean values of pulmonary function parameters FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF 25%–75% (expressed as percentage of predicted values) were compared in two groups, a deficit of approximately 4.5%, 6%, 1.06%, and 3.4% was observed in males versus 4.9%, 6.3%, 2.44%, and 2.4%, respectively for females. Conclusion: There is a statistically significant difference in the pulmonary functions in the polluted versus less polluted areas with the children being affected in a harmful manner in the former areas.","PeriodicalId":53075,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology","volume":"48 1","pages":"59 - 64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91258444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rishi Sharma, Y. Mathur, G. Chhabra, Atul Luhadia, S. Luhadia, Gaurav Dhandoria
{"title":"A study of skin sensitivity to various allergens by skin prick test in patients of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis","authors":"Rishi Sharma, Y. Mathur, G. Chhabra, Atul Luhadia, S. Luhadia, Gaurav Dhandoria","doi":"10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_9_18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_9_18","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Bronchial asthma (BA) and allergic rhinitis (AR) are among the most common allergic disorders. Identification of specific causative allergens is of paramount importance for further management. Aims: This study aims (1) to find out the prevalence of various allergens leading to AR and/or BA through skin prick test (SPT), (2) to identify the trigger factors in these patients, (3) to study correlations of allergens and seasonal variations in patients suffering from AR and/or BA. Materials and Methods: A total of 134 patients were collected from outpatient department and inpatient department of Respiratory Medicine Department of Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, from January 2016 to December 2017. The diagnosis of BA and AR was made according to the GINA and ARIA guidelines, respectively. SPT was done with 78 different types of aeroallergens, which included 23 types of pollens, 6 types of fungi, 10 types of insects, 6 types of dusts, 6 types of dander, 3 fabrics, 2 feathers, and 22 food allergens. Patients who had taken short-acting oral antihistaminics, beta-blockers, steroids, tricyclic antidepressants or any other drug that could affect the test within one week prior to testing were excluded. Also, patients on long-acting oral antihistaminics within four weeks of testing and pregnant women were excluded. Results: A total of 134 patients consisting of 73 (54.48%) males and 61 (45.52%) females, in the age group of 5–65 years, were included in the study. The maximum numbers of patients (50; 37.31%) were between the age group of 20 and 35 years. The maximum number of patients (94; 70.15%) had a duration of suffering from >1 years. AR was found in 60 (44.78%), BA associated with AR was found in 39 (29.1%), while BA alone was found in 35 (26.12%). In 54% of patients, triggers were found for exacerbation of their symptoms, the most common being air pollution (48%) followed by cold exposure (20%), physical activity (12%), irritants (9%), smoke (7%), and fumes and odors (4%). A total of 10,452 SPTs were done, out of which 265 (%) showed positive reactions. The positivity for pollens was seen in 116 (43.77%) patients followed by insects [79 (29.81%)], fungi [22 (8.3%)], house dust mite [15 (5.66%)], dusts [11 (4.15%)], fabrics [10 (3.77%)], danders [9 (3.4%)], and feathers [3 (1.13%)], respectively. Food allergens showed no significant reactions to SPT. Conclusions: Our study showed that insects were the most common allergen in BA patients, while pollens were the most common allergen in patients of AR with or without BA. Intermittent symptoms were common with pollen allergy.","PeriodicalId":53075,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology","volume":"81 1","pages":"47 - 53"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76848196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Future modalities in allergen immunotherapy: A brief overview","authors":"S. Gaur","doi":"10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_20_18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_20_18","url":null,"abstract":"Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying modality for the treatment of allergic diseases. The well-known and approved formulations are subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and allergoids. The drawbacks of the conventional AIT such as the risk of anaphylaxis led to the development of allergoids, Future approaches in AIT may permit (1) shorter treatment regimens, (2) improved safety, (3) improved compliance and (4) newer indications for AIT, which are discussed in the article.","PeriodicalId":53075,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology","volume":"102 1","pages":"43 - 46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74185308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Devendra Singh, Santosh Kumar, G. Singh, B. Shadrach, Seema Kaushal, Rishabh Goel
{"title":"Study on impact of air pollution on asthma among school going children residing in urban Agra","authors":"Devendra Singh, Santosh Kumar, G. Singh, B. Shadrach, Seema Kaushal, Rishabh Goel","doi":"10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_14_18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_14_18","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Air pollution is one of the world's most serious environmental problems. Air pollution has many negative health effects on the general population, especially children, individuals with underlying chronic disease, and the elderly. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of traffic-related pollution on the exacerbation of asthma and development of respiratory infections in schoolgoing children in Agra, suffering from asthma compared with healthy subjects, and to estimate the association between incremental increases in principal pollutants and the incidence of respiratory symptoms. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 702 children aged 6–18 years in this prospective study. A total of 342 children with asthma and 360 healthy subjects were monitored for 6 months from September 2013 to February 2014. Clinical data were combined with the results obtained using an air pollution monitoring system of the five most common pollutants. A total of 328 children with asthma and 345 healthy subjects completed follow-up. Results: Children with asthma reported significantly more days of fever (P <0.001) and cough (P < 0.001), episodes of rhinitis (P = 0.087), asthma attacks (P < 0.001), episodes of pneumonia (P < 0.003), and hospitalizations (P = 0.01). In the asthma cohort, living close to the street with a high traffic density was a risk factor for asthma exacerbations (odds ratio [OR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–2.84), whereas living near green areas was found to be protective (OR = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.31–0.80). Conclusion: There is a significant association between traffic-related pollution and the development of asthma exacerbations and respiratory infections in children suffering from asthma. These findings suggest that environmental control may be crucial for respiratory health in children with the underlying respiratory disease.","PeriodicalId":53075,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology","volume":"4 1","pages":"65 - 69"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72811699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Allergen immunotherapy: What does the future hold?","authors":"S. Gaur","doi":"10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_23_18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_23_18","url":null,"abstract":"Allergen immunotherapy (AIT), the only known causal therapy for allergies is globally being used in the following formulations – subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), and allergoids. In India, AIT has been used for approximately 50 years, with aqueous extract based SCIT being the conventionally accepted treatment modality. Limitations of the current formulations of the native extracts utilized for SCIT and SLIT have led to increased research on innovative formulations for AIT. In the recent years, a lot of research is being conducted and primarily focuses on reducing the number of AIT doses to achieve efficacy, improving safety and compliance, and utilizing AIT for newer indications. We need to keep abreast with the latest developments in the field of AIT and would look forward to these advancements being available and improve patient care and outcomes.","PeriodicalId":53075,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology","volume":"52 1","pages":"41 - 42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73718172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in automobile spray painters of Mumbai: A cross-sectional study","authors":"S. Nahar, M. Ashraf","doi":"10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_10_18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijaai.ijaai_10_18","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Spray painting poses health hazards that affect the respiratory system. During spray painting, workers are exposed to different paint components. Toluene diisocyanates, methylene diisocyanates, and hexamethylene diisocyanates are commonly used isocyanates in the spray painting. The major route of occupational exposure to isocyanates is the inhalation of the vapor or aerosol that can sensitize workers. The short- and long-term consequences of the respiratory system can be raised from these occupations. Hence, the aim and objective of this study were to find the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in automobile spray painters of Mumbai and to study the use of safety measures in automobile spray painters. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 50 automobile spray painters were selected based on inclusion criteria. The self-made validated questionnaire was used as an outcome measure. Results: About 90% of the automobile spray painters have reported respiratory symptoms in their occupation among which 88% had the most prevalent symptom of breathlessness followed by 84% workers had the symptom of coughing. Nearly 60% of workers were aware about the safety measures, but only 33% were using the safety measures during work. Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms. The lack of awareness and the use of safety measures had increased the severity of the symptoms.","PeriodicalId":53075,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology","volume":"19 1","pages":"54 - 58"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85992148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}