Are Proton-Pump Inhibitors Beneficial for Patients with Poorly Controlled Asthma?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
For patients with minimal heartburn, probably not
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 16, 2009
Covering:
The American Lung Association Asthma Clinical Research Centers., N Engl J Med 2009 Apr 9; 360:1487
Formal Allergy Assessment in Patients with Rhinitis and Asthma
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In self-assessments, patients commonly misidentified the allergens that cause them trouble.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 7, 2009
Covering:
Smith HE et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009 Mar; 123:646
What Causes Childhood Asthma?
One study links asthma with birth during months with high spore or pollen concentrations, and another links asthma with TV watching for 2 or more hours per day.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
April 1, 2009
Covering:
Harley KG et al., Thorax 2009 Apr; 64:353
Sherriff A et al., Thorax 2009 Apr; 64:321
School-Based Treatment to Improve Asthma Control
Children who received supervised inhaled-steroid therapy at school had marginally better asthma control than those who received usual care at home.
Photopatch Tests
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Photopatch testing can differentiate photoallergic dermatitis from other reactions; many sunscreen ingredients may be involved.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
March 27, 2009
Covering:
Scalf LA et al., Dermatitis 2009 Jan/Feb; 20:44
Oral Immunotherapy for Peanut Allergies?
Preliminary results suggest that tiny incremental daily doses of peanut flour increase tolerance in some children.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
March 25, 2009
Covering:
Varshney P et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009 Feb; 123:S174
Jones SM et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009 ; 123:S211
Treating Allergic Rhinitis in Children
Results from two randomized trials indicate that sublingual immunotherapy is effective in children.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
February 25, 2009
Covering:
Wahn U et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009 Jan; 123:160
Bufe A et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009 Jan; 123:167
Estrogen-Related Angioedemas
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Novel forms of angioedema are often related to an estrogen trigger.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
February 20, 2009
Covering:
Hentges F et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009 Jan; 123:262
Treatment for Children with Viral-Induced Wheeze
Treatment with oral or inhaled corticosteroids is not warranted for children without history of atopy or family history of asthma, but medium-dose inhaled corticosteroids or leukotriene inhibitors might be warranted in children who seem to be at risk for asthma.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
January 21, 2009
Covering:
Bacharier LB et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2008 Dec; 122:1127
Ducharme FM et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jan 22; 360:339
Panickar J et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jan 22; 360:329
Bush A., N Engl J Med 2009 Jan 22; 360:409
Folic Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy and Respiratory Risk in Offspring
Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy slightly increased risk for wheeze and lower respiratory tract infections in infants and toddlers.
Lessons from Blister Juice
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
An observation in Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis may point the way to new therapeutic avenues.
Antibiotics to Prevent COPD Exacerbations?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a small study, erythromycin recipients had fewer and shorter exacerbations than did placebo recipients.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 8, 2009
Covering:
Seemungal TAR et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Dec 1; 178:1139
Kunisaki KM and Niewoehner DE., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Dec 1; 178:1098
Incidence of Anaphylaxis in the General Population
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The most common inciting agents were foods, insect stings, and medications.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
December 30, 2008
Covering:
Decker WW et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2008 Dec; 122:1161
Simons FER and Sampson HA., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2008 Dec; 122:1166
News Alert — New Warnings on Asthma Drugs
An FDA advisory panel recently voted to ban use of Serevent (salmeterol) and Foradil (formoterol) for treatment of asthma in children and adults.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
December 24, 2008
Covering:
Levenson M., Food and Drug Administration 2008 Nov 12
Cross-Reactions to Antiepileptic Drugs Are Common
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Patients receiving anticonvulsant agents are often sensitive to more than one agent, and cutaneous reactions are particularly common.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
December 19, 2008
Covering:
Alvestad S et al., Epilepsy Res 2008 Aug; 80:194
Hirsch LJ et al., Neurology 2008 Nov 4; 71:1527
A Natural Product for Topical Psoriasis Therapy
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Indigo naturalis can relieve the blues in patients with psoriasis (despite a little staining).
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
December 12, 2008
Covering:
Lin Y-K et al., Arch Dermatol 2008 Nov; 144:1457
Immunostaining for Drug-Induced Pemphigus: Useful?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
A histology-based diagnostic tool holds promise for distinguishing between pemphigus types.
By Angelica Selim, MD
December 12, 2008
Covering:
Maruani A et al., Am J Clin Pathol 2008 Sep; 130:369
How Safe Is General Anesthesia in Children with Mastocytosis?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
With proper precautions, young patients with this condition can receive general anesthesia.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
December 12, 2008
Covering:
Carter MC et al., Anesth Analg 2008 Aug; 107:422
Effect of Reported Antibiotic Allergies on Drug Selection
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Allergies noted in the medical record — sometimes incorrectly — can adversely affect antibiotic selection.
By Lynn L. Estes, PharmD
November 26, 2008
Covering:
Lutomski DM et al., Pharmacotherapy 2008 Nov; 28:1348
Skin Rashes with Antiepileptic Drugs
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Of 1875 outpatients with epilepsy, 14% developed rashes that were thought to be caused by at least one antiepileptic drug; 4% developed rashes with two or more drugs.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
November 20, 2008
Covering:
Hirsch LJ et al., Neurology 2008 Nov 4; 71:1527
Rice and Enterocolitis: Food for Thought
Even rice can elicit food protein-induced enterocolitis.
Clues to Improving Management of Persistent Asthma in Children
Suboptimal control of asthma and underuse of controller medication in children are associated with parents’ low expectations for symptom control, concern about competing priorities, lack of a routine for administering asthma medications, and concern about long-term effects of asthma medications.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
November 5, 2008
Covering:
Smith LA et al., Pediatrics 2008 Oct; 122:760
Type of Home Heating Affects Childhood Asthma Symptoms
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Installation of efficient, nonpolluting heating systems led to improvements in asthma symptoms but not lung function.
Do Fish and Birds Reduce Eczema in Infants?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Pet birds and an early piscean diet were reported in homes with less itch.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
October 17, 2008
Covering:
Alm B et al., Arch Dis Child 2008 Sep 25
Acetaminophen Use in Infancy Is Associated with Childhood Asthma
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk for asthma symptoms at age 6 to 7 years was increased in children who took acetaminophen for fever during the first year of life.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
October 17, 2008
Covering:
Beasley R et al., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1039
Barr RG., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1011
