Joäo Ferreira de Mello

Nasal allergies in the Latin American population: Results from the Allergies in Latin America survey

Allergies in Latin America is the first cross-national survey that describes the symptoms, impact, and treatment of nasal allergies (NAs) in individuals >or=4 years old in Latin America (LA). In total, 22,012 households across the Latin American countries of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela were screened for children, adolescents, and adults with a diagnosis of NA and either symptoms or treatment in the past 12 months. A total of 1088 adults and 457 children and adolescents were included and the sample was probability based to ensure valid statistical inference to the population. Approximately 7% of the LA population was diagnosed with NAs with two of three respondents stating that their allergies were seasonal or intermittent in nature. A general practice physician or otolaryngologist diagnosed the majority of individuals surveyed. Nasal congestion was the most common and bothersome symptom of NAs. Sufferers indicated that their symptoms affected productivity and sleep and had a negative impact on quality of life. Two-thirds of patients reported taking some type of medication for their NAs, with a roughly equal percentage of patients reporting taking over-the-counter versus prescription medications. Changing medications was most commonly done in those reporting inadequate efficacy. The most common reasons cited for dissatisfaction with current medications were related to inadequate effectiveness, effectiveness wearing off with chronic use, failure to provide 24-hour relief, and bothersome side effects (e.g., unpleasant taste and retrograde drainage into the esophagus). Findings from this cross-national survey on NAs have confirmed a high prevalence of physician-diagnosed NAs and a considerable negative impact on daily quality of life and work productivity as well as substantial disease management challenges in LA. Through identification of disease impact on the LA population and further defining treatment gaps, clinicians in LA may better understand and treat NAs, thus leading to improvements in overall patient satisfaction and quality of life.

The Role of Rhinitis in Chronic Otitis Media

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the role of allergic rhinitis in chronic otitis media (otitis media with effusion [OME] and chronic perforation of the tympanic membrane) in São Paulo, Brazil and whether there is any association between these diseases. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We studied 51 patients followed in the otologic group of the Otorhinolaryngology Division of the University of São Paulo Hospital. The patients were divided into 3 groups: allergic rhinitis, nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophils syndrome (NARES), and patients with types of rhinitis or without rhinitis. We analyzed the age, gender, intensity of the nasal disease, surgical procedure, and surgical results in each group. RESULTS: We found about 50% of patients presenting with nasal disease and nasal eosinophilia (33.33% of allergic and 15.69% of NARES). CONCLUSION: Nasal disease has an impact on otologic middle ear disease, considering that the normal nasal mucosa do not have eosinophils.

Avaliação da pressão inspiratória em crianças com aumento do volume de tonsilas

Children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids usually present breathing abnormalities such as snoring, mouth breathing and sleep apnea. It is known that upper airway obstruction and consequent mouth breathing may result in pulmonary diseases. AIM: The goal of this preliminary study was to evaluate the inspiratory pressure in children with upper airway obstruction due to enlarged tonsils. STUDY DESIGN: clinical with transversal cohort. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We evaluated 37 children (4 -13 years old, female/male) with enlarged tonsils who would be submitted to a T&A surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology, Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, from October 2002 to March 2003. The control group comprised 28 children without tonsillar disease submitted to the same tests. Inspiratory pressure was obtained using a manometer and vacuum meter. RESULTS: We could observe lower inspiratory pressures in children with upper airway obstruction. The mean of inspiratory pressure in the upper airway obstruction group was 14.607cm/H2O and in the control group was of 27.580cm/H2O. CONCLUSIONS: Enlarged tonsils and adenoids were associated with poor inspiratory pressure, resulting in increased breathing effort and work of the involved muscles.

Evaluation of inspiratory pressure in children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids

UNLABELLED Children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids usually present breathing abnormalities such as snoring, mouth breathing and sleep apnea. It is known that upper airway obstruction and consequent mouth breathing may result in pulmonary diseases. AIM The goal of this preliminary study was to evaluate the inspiratory pressure in children with upper airway obstruction due to enlarged tonsils. STUDY DESIGN Clinical with transversal cohort. MATERIAL AND METHOD We evaluated 37 children (4-3 years old, female/male) with enlarged tonsils who would be submitted to a T&A surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology, Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, from October 2002 to March 2003. The control group comprised 28 children without tonsillar disease submitted to the same tests. Inspiratory pressure was obtained using a manometer and vacuum meter. RESULTS We could observe lower inspiratory pressures in children with upper airway obstruction. The mean of inspiratory pressure in the upper airway obstruction group was 14.607 cm/H2O and in the control group was of 27.580 cm/H2O. CONCLUSIONS Enlarged tonsils and adenoids were associated with poor inspiratory pressure, resulting in increased breathing effort and work of the involved muscles.

Nasal valve: anatomy and physiology

UNLABELLED The anterior portion of the nasal cavities, from the nostril to the nasal valve (NV), is the place of highest nasal resistance to airflow, paramount to nasal physiology. There are different terminologies for the same anatomic structures in the literature. AIM The aim of this paper was to study the NV function and define clearly the structures of the anterior portion of the nasal cavities, mainly the region of the NV. CONCLUSION Internum ostium is the anterior segment and isthmus nasi is the posterior segment of the NV region.

Multi Insulin Sensitization with Tolerante to New Therapeutic Option: Degludec

Introduction: Insulin has been used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) since 1920. At first, the animal insulins were available for human use having frequent allergic reactions due to the differences in amino acid sequences with human insulin. Currently, with the use of human insulin, the prevalence of these reactions is around 2% and less than a third of these events were associated with insulin itself. These cases are associated with their additives or preservatives. The most commonly hypersensitivity reaction found is type I. In these cases, the use of a rapid-acting insulin is the best therapeutic alternative. We report the case of a multi-sensibilizated patient to insulin presenting tolerance to the ultralong-acting: Degludec insulin. Case report: Female patient, 74, referring use of NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) human insulin for 5 years, with papule at the site of application of the insulin minutes after application. She visited the Allergy and Immunology Clinic of the State Public Servant Hospital of Sao Paulo referring anaphylaxis few minutes after application of human insulin (NPH). Also reported extensive local reaction due the use of detemir, and local reaction to lispro insulin. We conducted immediate skin test reading with insulins: Regular, Lispro, NPH, Detemir and Degludeca at a concentration of 1:1; addition of the additive (Protamine 10 mg/ml) and latex. Presented positive test for all insulins, except Degludeca and presented negative test for protamine and latex. Conclusion: we found no common additive to all insulins, which is not present in degludeca insulin (Tresiba ®), enhancing insulin allergy hypothesis. Patient currently tolerates the use of long-acting insulin (Degludeca) and has adequate control of their blood sugar. In this case the patient had no insulin reaction prolonged action and this may be a new therapeutic option to be tested in patients with allergic reactions to insulin.

Prevalence of allergen sensitization, most important allergens and factors associated with atopy in children

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Knowledge of the profile of allergen sensitization among children is important for planning preventive measures. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and profile of sensitization to inhaled allergens and food among children and adolescents in an outpatient population in the city of Palmas. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional study at outpatient clinics in Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil. METHODS Ninety-four patients aged 1-15 years who were attending two pediatric outpatient clinics were selected between September and November 2008. All of the subjects underwent clinical interviews and skin prick tests. RESULTS A positive skin prick test was observed in 76.6% of the participants (72.3% for inhalants and 28.9% for food allergens). The most frequent allergens were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (34%), cat epithelium (28.7%), dog epithelium (21.3%), Dermatophagoides farinae (19.1%), Blomia tropicalis (18.1%), cows milk (9.6%) and grasses (9.6%). A positive skin prick test correlated with a history of atopic disease (odds ratio, OR = 5.833; P = 0.002), a family history of atopic disease (OR = 8.400; P < 0.001), maternal asthma (OR = 8.077; P = 0.048), pet exposure (OR = 3.600; P = 0.012) and cesarean delivery (OR = 3.367; P = 0.019). CONCLUSION Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was the most frequent aeroallergen and cows milk was the most prevalent food allergen. There was a positive correlation between a positive skin prick test and several factors, such as a family history of atopic disease, maternal asthma, pet exposure and cesarean delivery.

Adenotonsillectomy improves the strength of respiratory muscles in children with upper airway obstruction

OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to study the respiratory muscle strength by evaluating the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and lung volume before and 3 and 6 months after adenotonsillectomy. This is an interventional, before and after trial. It was set at the Department of Otolaryngology, University of São Paulo, School of Medicine. We included 29 children (6-13 years old), both genders, consecutively recruited from the waiting list for adenotonsillectomy. Children were submitted to maximal inspiratory pressures (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) evaluation using an analog manovacuometer, lung volume, using incentive expirotometer and thoracic and abdominal perimeter using a centimeter tape. Children were evaluated in 3 different moments: 1 week before and 3 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS MIP improved significantly 3 months (p < 0.001) after adenotonsillectomy and MEP did not change (p = 1). There were increases in lung volume (p = 000), chest (p = 0.017) and abdominal perimeter (p = 0.05). Six months after surgery, all parameters improved. MIP (p = 0), MEP (p = 0), lung volume (p = 0.02), chest (p = 0.034) and abdominal perimeter (p = 0.23). CONCLUSION This study suggests that there was an improvement in respiratory muscular strength, once there was a significant improvement in maximal inspiratory pressure, lung volume and other parameters after adenotonsillectomy.

Remodeling of the lower and upper airways

UNLABELLED Remodeling is defined as modeling again or differently, as reconstructing. Remodeling is a critical aspect of wound repair in all organs; it represents a dynamic process that associates the production and degradation of matrix in reaction to inflammation. This leads to normal reconstruction or a pathologic process. AIM AND METHODS To compare data in the current literature on upper and lower airways. RESULTS Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with abnormal airways remodeling. In allergic rhinitis, another chronic inflammatory disease, remodeling is still poorly understood. Even though inflammation is similar in allergic rhinitis and asthma, the pathologic extent of nasal remodeling, as well as its clinical consequences, might be different from those in bronchi. CONCLUSION Remodeling occurs less in upper airways compared to lower airways; it is apparent, however, that the structure of the rhinitic nose is not normal.

Futura study: evaluation of efficacy and safety of rupatadine fumarate in the treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis

UNLABELLED Allergic rhinitis affects 10-30% of the population, negatively impacting ones quality of life and productivity. It has been associated with sinusitis, otitis media, sleep disorders, and asthma. Rupatadine is a second generation antihistamine with increased affinity to histamine receptor H1; it is also a potent PAF (platelet-activating factor) antagonist. It starts acting quite quickly, offers long lasting effect, and reduces the chronic effects of rhinitis. AIM this study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of rupatadine in the treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis. MATERIALS AND METHOD this is a multi-centric open prospective study. This study included 241 patients from 13 centers in Brazil and was held between October of 2004 and August of 2005. Signs and symptoms of rhinitis and tolerance to medication were analyzed after one and two weeks of treatment. RESULTS reduction on general scores from 8.65 to 3.21 on week 2 (p<0.001). All signs and symptoms improved significantly in the first day of treatment (p<0.001), except for nasal congestion and secretion, which improved from the second day of treatment (p<0.001). Adverse events occurred in 19.9% of the cases, 27.7% on week 1. CONCLUSION rupatadine effectively controls persistent allergic rhinitis; it is safe and presents low incidence of side effects.