I. Annesi-Maesano

Practical guide to skin prick tests in allergy to aeroallergens

To cite this article: Bousquet J, Heinzerling L, Bachert C, Papadopoulos NG, Bousquet PJ, Burney PG, Canonica GW, Carlsen KH, Cox L, Haahtela T, Lodrup Carlsen KC, Price D, Samolinski B, Simons FER, Wickman M, Annesi‐Maesano I, Baena‐Cagnani CE, Bergmann KC, Bindslev‐Jensen C, Casale TB, Chiriac A, Cruz AA, Dubakiene R, Durham SR, Fokkens WJ, Gerth‐van‐Wijk R, Kalayci O, Kowalski ML, Mari A, Mullol J, Nazamova‐Baranova L, O’Hehir RE, Ohta K, Panzner P, Passalacqua G, Ring J, Rogala B, Romano A, Ryan D, Schmid‐Grendelmeier P, Todo‐Bom A, Valenta R, Woehrl S, Yusuf OM, Zuberbier T, Demoly P. Practical guide to skin prick tests in allergy to aeroallergens. Allergy 2012; 67: 18–24.

Common characteristics of upper and lower airways in rhinitis and asthma: ARIA update, in collaboration with GA(2)LEN.

This update aimed to review the new evidence available to support or refute prior Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) statements. A Medline search of publications between 2000 and 2005 was conducted, with articles selected by experts. New evidence supports previous ARIA statements, such as: (i) allergic rhinitis (AR) is a risk factor for asthma; (ii) patients with persistent rhinitis should be evaluated for asthma; (iii) most patients with asthma have rhinitis; (iv) a combined strategy should be used to treat the airways and (v) in low‐ to middle‐income countries, a different strategy may be needed. The increased risk of asthma has also been found among sufferers from non‐AR. Recent reports show AR is a global problem. Many studies demonstrated parallel increasing prevalence of asthma and rhinitis, but in regions of highest prevalence, it may be reaching a plateau. Factors associated with a reduced risk of asthma and AR have been identified, confirming previous findings of protection related to exposure to infections. Treatment of rhinitis with intranasal glucocorticosteroids, antihistamines, leukotriene antagonists or immunotherapy may reduce morbidity because of asthma. To take advantage of the paradigm of unified airways, there is a need to rationalize diagnosis and treatment to optimize management.

Characteristics of intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis: DREAMS study group

Background In the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification, intermittent and persistent rhinitis were proposed to replace seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis (AR).

Projections of the effects of climate change on allergic asthma: the contribution of aerobiology.

To cite this article: Cecchi L, D’Amato G, Ayres JG, Galan C, Forastiere F, Forsberg B, Gerritsen J, Nunes C, Behrendt H, Akdis C, Dahl R, Annesi‐Maesano I. Projections of the effects of climate change on allergic asthma: the contribution of aerobiology. Allergy 2010; 65: 1073–1081.

In utero and perinatal complications preceding asthma.

Background: It has been suggested that pregnancy and early life may influence the development of asthma in the offspring, but published studies have not carefully controlled for potential biases.

The score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR): a simple and valid assessment method in population studies

Background:u2002No validated assessment of allergic rhinitis (AR) is presently available that can be used in population studies in the absence of medical diagnosis and of objective measurements of allergy. To compensate for this lack, a quantitative Score For Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) ranging between 0 and 16 has been developed by experts.

Climate change and respiratory disease: European Respiratory Society position statement

Climate change will affect individuals with pre-existing respiratory disease, but the extent of the effect remains unclear. The present position statement was developed on behalf of the European Respiratory Society in order to identify areas of concern arising from climate change for individuals with respiratory disease, healthcare workers in the respiratory sector and policy makers. The statement was developed following a 2-day workshop held in Leuven (Belgium) in March 2008. Key areas of concern for the respiratory community arising from climate change are discussed and recommendations made to address gaps in knowledge. The most important recommendation was the development of more accurate predictive models for predicting the impact of climate change on respiratory health. Respiratory healthcare workers also have an advocatory role in persuading governments and the European Union to maintain awareness and appropriate actions with respect to climate change, and these areas are also discussed in the position statement.

Management of chronic respiratory and allergic diseases in developing countries. Focus on sub-Saharan Africa

‘‘Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) which include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) comprise a major cause of death and disability for all age groups and regions in the world. In the absence of effective interventions, risk factors such as smoking, air pollution, allergen exposure, severe childhood respiratory infection and TB are expected to cause a further rise in the magnitude of these health problems in the coming years, particularly in developing countries. Evidence also indicates that in many countries people with common CRDhave no access to acceptable standards of health care; health systems may also provide inappropriate care due to misdiagnosis arising from respiratory symptoms which are often common for acute and chronic illnesses.’’ (1) In low and middle-income countries, the capacity of health professionals should be expanded to address CRD. Sub-Saharan Africa appears to be an important region of the world that could be used to assess how the CRD program can be modeled and implemented. In these countries, CRD (including allergic diseases) represent only one type of major disease, and in many instances are not the main disease burden. Thus, it is important to propose an integrated management of disease that covers communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

Alternaria sensitization and allergic rhinitis with or without asthma in the French Six Cities study.

To cite this article: Randriamanantany ZA, Annesi‐Maesano I, Moreau D, Raherison C, Charpin D, Kopferschmitt C, Lavaud F, Taytard A, De Blay F, Caillaud D. Alternaria sensitization and allergic rhinitis with or without asthma in the French Six Cities study. Allergy 2010; 65: 368–375.

Allergy markers in adults in relation to the timing of pet exposure: the EGEA* study

Background: Studies suggest that early childhood exposure to pets may protect from the development of atopy, but limited information is available on adults. The association of allergy markers in adulthood with current and childhood exposure to pets was studied considering retrospectively the window of exposure.