Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Mar 2001
Comparative StudyAirway responses to a diluent used in the methacholine challenge test.
Inhalation of diluent is often used in performing methacholine challenge tests, but its elimination has been suggested because marked falls in FEV1 after diluent inhalation have not been documented and performing this step is time-consuming. ⋯ These data do not provide strong evidence to support either using or eliminating the diluent stage. It is clear that there are frequent and sometimes large changes in FVC and FEV1 after the inhalation of diluent containing phenol and sodium bicarbonate buffer. If a laboratory intends to report changes in airway function qualitatively (ie, positive or negative), the diluent stage may not be necessary. However, if a laboratory intends to report bronchial challenge data from inhaling methacholine in a quantitative fashion and report a continuous variable such as PC20, a diluent stage is recommended.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Feb 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialA comprehensive inner-city asthma program reduces hospital and emergency room utilization.
To evaluate the efficacy of a comprehensive asthma program on emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admission rates in an inner-city pediatric population. ⋯ A comprehensive asthma care program is efficacious in reducing hospital utilization.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Feb 2001
Case ReportsBee pollen-induced anaphylactic reaction in an unknowingly sensitized subject.
The food supplement bee pollen has been previously found to cause anaphylactic reactions. It has been proposed as useful for "everything from bronchitis to hemorrhoids." ⋯ An unknowingly sensitized atopic patient experienced an anaphylactic reaction after ingestion of a small quantity of bee pollen that contained pollens and fungi. Previously administered allergen immunotherapy that had reduced rhinitis symptoms did not prevent this allergic reaction.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Dec 2000
Comment ReviewComplementary/alternative medicine in the treatment of asthma.
This review will familiarize clinical allergists/immunologists with the common forms of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) that are being used frequently by their patients. It reviews reasons that patients seek alternative health care therapies and the most common illnesses that are treated with this form of medicine. Cultural differences in CAM are also reviewed. The article focuses on specific therapies used to treat asthma and reviews the efficacy of these therapies based on the available scientific literature. The reader will also learn about views of other physicians on CAM and how this topic is being addressed in US medical schools. ⋯ Available scientific evidence does not support a role for CAM in the treatment of asthma. The studies in the literature often have significant design flaws that weaken the conclusions such as insufficient numbers of patients, lack of proper controls, and inadequate blinding. Further studies are needed to prove or disprove the efficacy of CAM. Physicians often find CAM intimidating because they are unaware of the clinical evidence and feel uncomfortable advising their patients on its efficacy. There is definitely a need for more education among physicians in this area. It is also important that physicians inquire and discuss the use of CAM with their patients since the majority of patients are using some form of CAM.