Compromising between European and US allergen immunotherapy schools: Discussions from GUIMIT, the Mexican immunotherapy guidelines

Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has a longstanding history and still remains the only disease-changing treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Over the years 2 different schools have developed their strategies: the United States (US) and the European. Allergen extracts available in these regions are adapted to local practice. In other parts of the world, extracts from both regions and local ones are commercialized, as in Mexico. Here, local experts developed a national AIT guideline (GUIMIT 2019) searching for compromises between both schools. Methods: Using ADAPTE methodology for transculturizing guidelines and AGREE-II for evaluating guideline quality, GUIMIT selected 3 high-quality Main Reference Guidelines (MRGs): the European Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (EAACI) guideines, the S2k guideline of various German-speaking medical societies (2014), and the US Practice Parameters on Allergen Immunotherapy 2011. We formulated clinical questions and based responses on the fused evidence available in the MRGs, combined with local possibilities, patient's preference, and costs. We came across several issues on which the MRGs disagreed. These are presented here along with arguments of GUIMIT members to resolve them. GUIMIT (for a complete English version, see Supplementary data) concluded the following: Results: Related to the diagnosis of IgE-mediated respiratory allergy, apart from skin prick testing complementary tests (challenges, in vitro testing and molecular such as species-specific allergens) might be useful in selected cases to inform AIT composition. AIT is indicated in allergic rhinitis and suggested in allergic asthma (once controlled) and IgE-mediated atopic dermatitis. Concerning the correct subcutaneous AIT dose for compounding vials according to the US school: dosing tables and formula are given; up to 4 non-related allergens can be mixed, refraining from mixing high with low protease extracts. When using European extracts: the manufacturer's indications should be followed; in multi-allergic patients 2 simultaneous injections can be given (100% consensus); mixing is discouraged. In Mexico only allergoid tablets are available; based on doses used in all sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) publications referenced in MRGs, GUIMIT suggests a probable effective dose related to subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) might be: 50–200% of the monthly SCIT dose given daily, maximum mixing 4 allergens. Also, a table with practical suggestions on non-evidence-existing issues, developed with a simplified Delphi method, is added. Finally, dissemination and implementation of guidelines is briefly discussed, explaining how we used online tools for this in Mexico. Conclusions: Countries where European and American AIT extracts are available should adjust AIT according to which school is followed

Estudio multicéntrico de satisfacción con ebastina de disolución rápida 20 mg/día en pacientes mexicanos con rinitis alérgica

La rinitis alérgica es una enfermedad inflamatoria de la mucosa nasal, con síntomas de prurito nasal, obstrucción, estornudos en salva y escurrimiento nasal hialino. Es una enfermedad muy frecuente, en todo el mundo la llega a padecer 15% de la población. Entre los múltiples tratamientos que se han utilizado para el alivio de los síntomas de esta enfermedad existe un inhibidor selectivo de los receptores H1, ebastina

Aeroallergen immunotherapy associated with reduced risk of severe COVID-19 in 1095 allergic patients

Introduction: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) brings along changes in the immune system, restoring dendritic cell function, reducing T2 inflammation and augmenting the regulatory cell activation. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, interferes with the immune system causing immune suppression during the first phase and over-activation in more advanced disease. We decided to explore the interaction of both in a real-world observational trial. Methods: We registered COVID-19 outcomes in patients with allergic disorders in Latin America, treated with and without AIT. The registry was conducted during the first 1.3 years of the pandemic, with most of the data collected before COVID-19 vaccination was concluded in most countries. Data collection was anonymous via a web-based instrument. Ten countries participated. Results: 630/1095 (57.6%) of the included patients received AIT. Compared to patients without AIT, those treated with AIT had a reduced risk ratio (RR) for COVID-19 lower respiratory symptoms (RR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.6703–0.9024; p = 0.001662) and need for oxygen therapy (RR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.4217–0.9992; p = 0.048). In adherent patients on maintenance sublingual immunotherapy/subcutaneous immunotherapy (SLIT/SCIT) the RR reduction was larger [RR = 0.6136 (95% CI 0.4623–0.8143; p < 0.001) and RR: 0.3495 (95% CI 0.1822–0.6701; p < 0.005), respectively]. SLIT was slightly more effective (NS). We excluded age, comorbidities, level of health care attendance, and type of allergic disorder as confounders, although asthma was related to a higher frequency of severe disease. When analyzing patients with allergic asthma (n = 503) the RR reduction favoring AIT was more pronounced with 30% for lower respiratory symptoms or worse (RR 0.6914, 95% CI 0.5264 to 0.9081, p = 0.0087) and 51% for need of oxygen therapy or worse (RR 0.4868, 95% CI 0.2829–0.8376, p = 0.0082). Among severe allergic patients treated with biologics (n = 24) only 2/24 needed oxygen therapy. There were no critical cases among them. Conclusion: In our registry AIT was associated with reduced COVID-19 severity

MASK (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network), una app móvil con la solución integral de ARIA en países de habla hispana

Aunque existen guías clínicas de alta calidad sobre rinitis alérgica, numerosos pacientes reciben tratamiento deficiente, en parte debido al alto grado de automedicación. MASK (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network) forma parte integral de un proyecto apoyado por la Unión Europea contra las enfermedades crónicas y enfocado al envejecimiento activo y saludable. Constituye la tercera fase de ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma), en la cual mediante una aplicación móvil en un dispositivo inteligente se intenta guiar al paciente en el control de su multimorbilidad, rinitis o conjuntivitis alérgicas o asma. La aplicación Diario de Alergia por MACVIA-ARIA es gratuita y está disponible para Android e iOS; en ella, los pacientes indican diariamente cuánto les molestan los síntomas a través de cinco pantallas con una escala visual análoga; recientemente se agregaron dos pantallas más (afectación del sueño). La aplicación también permite descargar los datos del “Diario de alergias” en la computadora del médico en el momento de la consulta a través de un código QR. En este artículo reseñamos el primer año de experiencia en España, México y Argentina, que utilizan la versión española.Although there are high quality clinical guidelines about allergic rhinitis, many patients receive deficient treatment, partly due to the high level of self-medication. MASK (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network) is an integral part of a project against chronic diseases which it is focused on active and healthy aging and is supported by the European Union. It forms the third phase of ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) in which, through a mobile app on a smart device, the purpose is to guide patients in the control of their multimorbidity, allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis, or asthma. The "Allergy Diary" app by MACVIA-ARIA is free and it is available for Android and iOS; on it, patients indicate how unpleasant the symptoms are on a daily basis through five screens with an analogous visual scale; two more screens were recently added (sleep affectation). With the app, it is also possible to download the information of the "Allergy Diary" on the physician's computer through a QR code at the moment of the medical consultation. In this article, we review the first year of experience in Spain, Mexico and Argentina, where the Spanish version is used

MASK (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network), una app móvil con la solución integral de ARIA en países de habla hispana

Aunque existen guías clínicas de alta calidad sobre rinitis alérgica, numerosos pacientes reciben tratamiento deficiente, en parte debido al alto grado de automedicación. MASK (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network) forma parte integral de un proyecto apoyado por la Unión Europea contra las enfermedades crónicas y enfocado al envejecimiento activo y saludable. Constituye la tercera fase de ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma), en la cual mediante una aplicación móvil en un dispositivo inteligente se intenta guiar al paciente en el control de su multimorbilidad, rinitis o conjuntivitis alérgicas o asma. La aplicación Diario de Alergia por MACVIA-ARIA es gratuita y está disponible para Android e iOS; en ella, los pacientes indican diariamente cuánto les molestan los síntomas a través de cinco pantallas con una escala visual análoga; recientemente se agregaron dos pantallas más (afectación del sueño). La aplicación también permite descargar los datos del “Diario de alergias” en la computadora del médico en el momento de la consulta a través de un código QR. En este artículo reseñamos el primer año de experiencia en España, México y Argentina, que utilizan la versión española.Fil: Larenas Linnemann, Désirée. Fundación Clínica Médica Sur; ArgentinaFil: Mullol, Joaquim. Universitat de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Ivancevich, Juan Carlos. Clínica Santa Isabel; ArgentinaFil: Anto, Josep M. Universitat Pompeu Fabra; EspañaFil: Cardona, Victoria. Hospital Vall d’Hebron; EspañaFil: Dedeu, Toni. European Regional and Local Health Association; BélgicaFil: Rodríguez González, Mónica. Hospital Español; MéxicoFil: Huerta Villalobos, Yunuen Rocío. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social; MéxicoFil: Neffen, Hugo. Center of Allergy; ArgentinaFil: Fuentes Pérez, José Miguel. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social; MéxicoFil: Rodríguez Zagal, Endira. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social; MéxicoFil: Valero, Antonio. Universidad de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Zernotti, Mario Emilio. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Bartra, Joan. Hospital Clínic; EspañaFil: Alobid, Isam. Hospital de La Fe; EspañaFil: Castillo Vizuete, José Antonio. Hospital Universitari Quirón; EspañaFil: Dordal, Teresa. Hospital Municipal Badalona; EspañaFil: Hijano, Rafael. Hospital del Mar; EspañaFil: Picado, César. European Federation of Allergy and Respiratory; España Diseases PatientsFil: Sastre, Joaquín. Fundación Jiménez Díaz; EspañaFil: Blua, Ariel Eduardo. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Jares, Edgardo. Sociedad Latinoamericana de Alergia; ArgentinaFil: Lavrut, Alberto Jorge. Hospital General de Niños Pedro de Elizalde; ArgentinaFil: Máspero, Jorge. Fundación Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Alérgicas y Respiratorias; ArgentinaFil: Bedolla Barajas, Martín. Centro Médico Zambrano Hellion; MéxicoFil: Burguete Cabañas, María Teresa. Hospital Ángeles de Puebla; MéxicoFil: García Cobas, Cecilia Yvonne. Hospital Star Médica Aguascalientes; ArgentinaFil: García Cruz, María de la Luz Hortensia. Hospital Ángeles de Puebla; MéxicoFil: Hernández Velázquez, Luiana. 8Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Campus Ensenada; MéxicoFil: Luna Pech, Jorge A. Universidad de Guadalajara; MéxicoFil: Matta, Juan José. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social; MéxicoFil: Mogica Martínez, María Dolores. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social; MéxicoFil: Rivero Yeverino, Daniela. Universidad Autónoma de Puebla; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, Lucy Tania. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social; MéxicoFil: Del Río Navarro, Blanca E. Hospital Infantil de México; MéxicoFil: Gómez Vera, Javier. Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado; MéxicoFil: Macías Weinmann, Alejandra. Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León; MéxicoFil: Murray, Ruth. MedScript Ltd; IrlandaFil: Onorato, Gabrielle. MACVIA-France; FranciaFil: Laune, Daniel. Kyomed; FranciaFil: Bedbrook, Anna. MACVIA-France; FranciaFil: Bousquet, Jean. Université Versailles St-Quentin-en-Yvelines; Franci

Executive Summary of ARIA 2019: Integrated care pathways for allergic rhinitis in Argentina, Spain and Mexico

El impacto sanitario y económico de las enfermedades alérgicas está aumentando rápidamente y se necesitan cambios en las estrategias para su manejo. Su influencia reduce al menos en un tercio la capacidad de desempeño laboral y escolar. Los ICP (Vías Integradas de Atención) de las enfermedades de las vías respiratorias son planes de atención estructurados y multidisciplinarios, que promueven las recomendaciones de las guías en protocolos locales y su aplicación a la práctica clínica. En este documento se presenta un resumen ejecutivo para Argentina, México y España. Se desarrollan las guías ARIA de próxima generación para el tratamiento farmacológico de la rinitis alérgica (RA) utilizando las pautas basadas en GRADE para RA, probadas con evidencia de la vida real proporcionada por tecnología móvil basada en escalas visuales analógicas. Se concluye que en el tratamiento de la RA, los antihistamínicos anti-H1 son menos efectivos que los corticoides intranasales (CINS), que en la rinitis grave los CINS representan la primera línea de tratamiento, y que la combinación intranasal de CINS + anti-H1 es más eficaz que la monoterapia. Sin embargo, según el estudio MASK observacional en vida real, los pacientes tienen pobre adherencia al tratamiento y frecuentemente se automedican de acuerdo con sus necesidades.The health and economic impact of allergic diseases are increasing rapidly, and changes in management strategies are required. Its influence reduces the capacity of work and school performance by at least a third. The ICPs of the airways (integrated care pathways for respiratory diseases) are structured multidisciplinary healthcare plans, promoting the recommendations of the guidelines in local protocols and their application to clinical practice. This document presents an executive summary for Argentina, Mexico, and Spain. Next-generation ARIA guidelines are being developed for the pharmacological treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR), using the GRADE-based guidelines for AR, tested with real-life evidence provided by mobile technology with visual analogue scales. It is concluded that in the AR treatment, H1-antihistamines are less effective than intranasal corticosteroids (INCS), in severe AR the INCS represent the first line of treatment, and intranasal combination INCS + anti-H1 is more effective than monotherapy. However, according to the MASK real-life observational study, patients have poor adherence to treatment and often self-medicate, according to their needs