Increasing Incidence of Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis in the Southwest of Madrid, Spain.

Objectives: The incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis is unknown in our area. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis and its possible association with the most frequent absolute annual pollen counts. Methods: A descriptive retrospective multicenter observational study was designed to calculate the incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis in children aged under 15 years in the southwest region of Madrid, Spain in 2002-2013 (data were provided by the Statistics Institute of Madrid). We collected data on age, sex, clinical presentation, and date of endoscopic diagnosis. Relative risk (RR) was estimated (Stata v.11) using negative binomial regression models to assess the association between incidence and pollen counts (provided by Subiza Clinic). Results: The study population comprised 254 patients (192 male [75.6%], aged 0.5-14.99 years). The clinical presentation was esophageal impaction in 23.6%, dysphagia in 22%, gastroesophageal reflux–like symptoms in 44.9%, and other findings in 9.4%. The annual incidence from 2002 to 2013 per 100 000 children aged <15 years per year was, respectively, 0.81, 1.5, 0.37, 3.17, 3.07, 4.36, 6.87, 7.19, 8.38, 9.05, 9.14, and 9.68. The incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis increased by an average of 19% annually (RR, 1.19; 95%CI, 1.14-1.25;P1 (1.17 and 1.06, respectively) (P<.05). Conclusion: The incidence of diagnosis of pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis increased by an average of 19% annually. No significant association was found between incidence and pollen counts, except for a weak association with Platanus species.post-print359 K

Sex- and age-related differences in the management and outcomes of chronic heart failure: an analysis of patients from the ESC HFA EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

Aims: This study aimed to assess age- and sex-related differences in management and 1-year risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Methods and results: Of 16 354 patients included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry, 9428 chronic HF patients were analysed [median age: 66 years; 28.5% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 37%]. Rates of use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were high (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: 85.7%, 88.7% and 58.8%, respectively). Crude GDMT utilization rates were lower in women than in men (all differences: P\ua0 64 0.001), and GDMT use became lower with ageing in both sexes, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT prescription; however, age >75 years was a significant predictor of GDMT underutilization. Rates of all-cause mortality were lower in women than in men (7.1% vs. 8.7%; P\ua0=\ua00.015), as were rates of all-cause hospitalization (21.9% vs. 27.3%; P\ua075 years. Conclusions: There was a decline in GDMT use with advanced age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT or adverse outcomes. However, age >75 years independently predicted lower GDMT use and higher all-cause mortality in patients with LVEF 6445%

Estrategia terapéutica en hipertensión arterial pulmonar

La investigación y el avance en el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial pulmonar han permitido modificar la historia natural de esta enfermedad. El pilar del tratamiento es el empleo de terapias con vasodilatadores pulmonares específicos, pero también habrán de tenerse en cuenta otras medidas como la actividad física, el apoyo psicológico, la anticoagulación, el tratamiento diurético, la oxigenoterapia o el tratamiento anticonceptivo. Previo a iniciar cualquier tipo de tratamiento específico se requiere un estudio de vasorreactividad aguda del lecho vascular pulmonar, ya que los pacientes con respuesta positiva podrían beneficiarse del tratamiento con calcio-antagonistas. En caso de respuesta negativa o no ser respondedores sostenido, en la actualidad se dispone de fármacos frente a las tres principales vías metabólicas implicadas en el desarrollo de la enfermedad, a saber, prostanoides (epoprosterenol, treprostinil e iloprost, selexipag), antagonistas de los receptores de la endotelina o ARE (bosentan, macitentan y ambrisentan), inhibidores de la fosfodiesterasa 5 o IPDE5 (sildenafilo y tadalafilo) y estimuladores de la guanilato ciclasa (riociguat). La elección del fármaco de inicio, ya sea en monoterapia o en combinación, dependerá de múltiples factores como clase funcional, comorbilidades, interacciones con otros fármacos, tolerabilidad y seguridad, y finalmente de la disponibilidad y las preferencias

Exploratory study of tolerability and immunological effect of a short up-dosing immunotherapy phase with a standardised allergen extract derived from pollen of Olea europaea

BACKGROUND: A new subcutaneous specific immunotherapy (SCIT) product adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide has been developed with a short and simplified up-dosing phase, containing a biologically standardized allergen pollen extract from Olea europaea. OBJECTIVE: To assess the tolerability profile of the updosing phase and its immunological effect, in terms of specific IgG(4) and IgE levels and immediate skin reactivity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was an exploratory, multi-centre, open-label, single-arm, phase II/III clinical trial. Adults with a clinical history of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with/without asthma due to sensitization to olive pollen were selected. Five up-dosing doses (300, 600, 3000, 6000 and 15000SQ+) were administered at weekly intervals, followed by a maintenance dose (15000SQ+) after 2 weeks. Adverse events were collected during the 30 min observation period after injections, after a telephone contact 2 days after each visit, and after reviewing the subjects’ diary. IgG(4) and IgE levels and immediate skin reactivity were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the trial. RESULTS: Ninety-three subjects were included in the trial (mean age, 35.7 ± 10.3 years; women, 66.7 %). A total of 95 adverse drug reactions, all mild in intensity and non-serious, were reported during the trial: 85 local in 34.4 % subjects, 9 systemic in 4.3 % subjects and one non-specific (grade 0). Within 6 weeks, significant changes in IgG(4) and IgE levels and in immediate skin reactivity to Olea europaea were accomplished. CONCLUSION: This new SCIT derived from pollen of Olea europaea presented a good tolerability profile and induced significant immunological responses already after a 6 week treatment. However, the non-controlled design may limit the interpretation of these results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT no: 2011-004852-20; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01674595