Briefly Noted
IVIG for patients with myositis and refractory esophageal disease; antimalarials to prevent cardiac symptoms of neonatal lupus and thrombovascular events in adult systemic lupus; and a sunscreen to prevent cutaneous lupus
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis — Do Any Current Treatments Prevent Deaths?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
In a small group, IVIG provided better-than-predicted survival.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
January 28, 2011
Covering:
Rajaratnam R et al., Clin Exp Dermatol 2010 Dec; 35:853
A Comprehensive Guide to Food Allergy
Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
NIAID guidelines include 43 recommendations for diagnosis and management of food allergy.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
January 19, 2011
Covering:
Boyce JA et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010 Dec; 126:S1
Point of View: NIAID Guidelines on Food Allergy
This guideline stresses overdiagnosis and judicious testing.
By David J. Amrol, MD
January 19, 2011
Lost in Spacer: How Many Breaths?
Children inhale as much aerosolized medication through a spacer with two or three regular inhalations as they do with more inhalations.
Add Salmeterol or Double Fluticasone in Children with Uncontrolled Asthma?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Although outcomes were similar with these two strategies, some concerns remain about adding salmeterol.
By David J. Amrol, MD
January 11, 2011
Covering:
Vaessen-Verberne AAPH et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Nov 15; 182:1221
Arnold DH and Hartert TV., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Nov 15; 182:1219
Eczema Genes Boil Over
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Two recent reports detail new findings regarding the genes that confer susceptibility to childhood eczema.
By Kenneth Y. Tsai, MD, PhD
January 7, 2011
Covering:
Flohr C et al., Br J Dermatol 2010 Dec; 163:1333
Leung TF et al., Br J Dermatol 2010 Dec; 163:1360
Crystal Balls
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Parental history and positive prick tests were the best predictors of persistent atopic dermatitis beyond childhood.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
December 3, 2010
Covering:
Peters AS et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010 Sep; 126:590
Immune Responses in Polymorphic Light Eruption: A Double-Edged Sword
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Ultraviolet radiation usually causes an immunosuppressive response that is muted in patients with PLE, which could protect them from skin cancer.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
November 12, 2010
Covering:
Koulu LM et al., J Invest Dermatol 2010 Nov; 130:2578
Bone Mineral Density in Children with Atopic Dermatitis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Use of topical corticosteroids in the previous 5 years was not associated with a decrease in BMD.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
November 5, 2010
Covering:
van Velsen SGA et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2010 Nov; 63:824
The Value of Patch Testing for Cosmetic Allergens
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Adding supplemental testing to the standard patch test series increased the yield of positive reactions in patients with suspected cosmetic contact allergy.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
November 5, 2010
Covering:
Wetter DA et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2010 Nov; 63:789
Filaggrin Signatures
Dermatology Summary and Comment
In patients with atopic dermatitis, noninvasive Raman microspectroscopy can reveal disturbances in skin barrier function at the molecular level.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
October 29, 2010
Covering:
O'Regan GM et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010 Sep; 126:574.e1
Tiotropium for Adults with Uncontrolled Asthma?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The drug improved symptoms and lung function when added to inhaled corticosteroids.
By David J. Amrol, MD
October 7, 2010
Covering:
Peters SP et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Sep 19
New Classification Criteria for Rheumatoid Arthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The goal is early identification of patients who can benefit from intervention.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 23, 2010
Covering:
Aletaha D et al., Arthritis Rheum 2010 Sep; 62:2569
Smoking Ban Improves Asthma Rates in Children
In Scotland, asthma hospital admission rates in children have dropped 18% per year since the smoking ban was instituted in 2006.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
September 15, 2010
Covering:
Mackay D et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Sep 16; 363:1139
Hydroa Vacciniforme and Epstein-Barr Virus: An Unlikely Duo
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Patients with HV had significantly higher levels of EBV DNA than 35 patients with other photosensitivity diseases.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
August 20, 2010
Covering:
Verneuil L et al., Br J Dermatol 2010 Jul; 163:174
Less Is More!
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
The likelihood of an adverse drug reaction in older patients rose with the number of medications taken.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
July 23, 2010
Covering:
Onder G et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jul 12; 170:1142
Schneider EL and Campese VM., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jul 12; 170:1148
Is Fast Food Associated with Increasing Asthma Prevalence?
More-frequent burger consumption is associated with a higher prevalence of wheezing in children; consumption of fish, fruit, and vegetables might be protective.
Pediatric Clinical Asthma Scores Predict Disease Severity
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Predictive value is more marked after 90 minutes of treatment than at triage.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Children and Adolescents
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in U.S. children, especially among blacks.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
June 16, 2010
Covering:
Freishtat RJ et al., J Pediatr 2010 Jun; 156:948
Dong Y et al., Pediatrics 2010 Jun; 125:1104
Intranasal Steroids for Ocular Symptoms in Allergic Rhinitis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a randomized trial, intranasal steroids relieved both nasal and ocular symptoms.
By David J. Amrol, MD
June 10, 2010
Covering:
Prenner BM et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010 Jun; 125:1247
Making Sense of Food Allergies
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Food allergy management is hampered by overdiagnosis and lack of consensus on diagnostic criteria.
By David J. Amrol, MD
May 25, 2010
Covering:
Chafen JJ et al., JAMA 2010 May 12; 303:1848
Another Trial of Proton-Pump Inhibitor Therapy for Asthma
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Esomeprazole provided no clinically important benefits.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 25, 2010
Covering:
Kiljander TO et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 May 15; 181:1042
Partially Hydrolyzed Formula to Prevent Eczema
Risk for eczema in high-risk infants was 45% lower in infants fed partially hydrolyzed whey formula than in those fed cow's milk–based formula.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
May 12, 2010
Covering:
Alexander DD and Cabana MD., J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2010 Apr; 50:422
Whealy Doses
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
High doses of antihistamines alleviated urticarial wheals better than the standard dose.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
April 16, 2010
Covering:
Staevska M et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010 Mar; 125:676
