Background: Thoracentesis with cytological examination of pleural fluid is the initial test of choice for evaluation of pleural effusions in patients with suspected malignant pleural effusion (MPE). There is limited data on the sensitivity of thoracentesis stratified by tumor type. A better understanding of stratified sensitivities is of clinical interest, and may guide early and appropriate referral for pleural biopsy. Objective: The primary objective was sensitivity of thoracentesis with pleural fluid cytology stratified by tumor type. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with a solid tumor malignancy with proven or strong suspicion for metastatic disease with new pleural effusions that underwent an initial thoracentesis. Only patients with metastatic disease were included. Results: Of the 725 patients examined, 63% had pleural fluid cytology positive for malignancy. Sensitivity of thoracentesis varied from a low of 0.38 (95% CI 0.13-0.68) in head and neck malignancy, 0.38 (95% CI 0.15-0.65) in sarcoma, and 0.53 (95% CI 0.34-0.72) in renal cancer to a high of 93 (95% CI 88-97) in breast cancer, and 100 (95% CI 0.82-100) in pancreatic cancer. Factors associated with an increased risk of MPE included larger amount of fluid drained (p = 0.014) and higher pleural fluid protein (p = 0.002). The only factor associated with decreased risk of MPE if first cytology was negative for malignancy was the presence of contralateral effusion (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Sensitivity of thoracentesis for solid tumors varies significantly depending on the type of tumor and is lowest in those with sarcomas, head and neck malignancies, and renal cell cancers.
背景:胸腔穿刺加胸膜液细胞学检查是评估疑似恶性胸腔积液(MPE)患者胸腔积液的首选试验。根据肿瘤类型分层进行胸腔穿刺的敏感性数据有限。更好地了解分层敏感性具有临床意义,并可能指导早期和适当的胸膜活检转诊。目的:探讨胸膜液细胞学按肿瘤类型分层对胸腔穿刺的敏感性。方法:这是一项回顾性队列研究,连续的实体肿瘤恶性肿瘤,证实或强烈怀疑转移性疾病,新胸腔积液,接受首次胸腔穿刺。仅包括转移性疾病患者。结果:725例患者中,63%胸膜液细胞学阳性。胸穿刺的敏感性从头颈部恶性肿瘤的0.38 (95% CI 0.13-0.68)、肉瘤的0.38 (95% CI 0.15-0.65)、肾癌的0.53 (95% CI 0.34-0.72)到乳腺癌的93 (95% CI 88-97)和胰腺癌的100 (95% CI 0.82-100)不等。与MPE风险增加相关的因素包括大量排液(p = 0.014)和较高的胸膜液蛋白(p = 0.002)。如果第一次细胞学检查为恶性阴性,与MPE风险降低相关的唯一因素是对侧积液的存在(p = 0.005)。结论:胸腔穿刺对实体肿瘤的敏感性因肿瘤类型的不同而有显著差异,其中对肉瘤、头颈部恶性肿瘤和肾细胞癌的敏感性最低。
{"title":"Thorakozentese als erstes Diagnostikverfahren zur Stratifizierung von Pleuraergüssen bei Patienten mit Verdacht auf eine metastasierte Tumorerkrankung","authors":"F. Stanzel","doi":"10.1159/000496998","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000496998","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Thoracentesis with cytological examination of pleural fluid is the initial test of choice for evaluation of pleural effusions in patients with suspected malignant pleural effusion (MPE). There is limited data on the sensitivity of thoracentesis stratified by tumor type. A better understanding of stratified sensitivities is of clinical interest, and may guide early and appropriate referral for pleural biopsy. Objective: The primary objective was sensitivity of thoracentesis with pleural fluid cytology stratified by tumor type. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with a solid tumor malignancy with proven or strong suspicion for metastatic disease with new pleural effusions that underwent an initial thoracentesis. Only patients with metastatic disease were included. Results: Of the 725 patients examined, 63% had pleural fluid cytology positive for malignancy. Sensitivity of thoracentesis varied from a low of 0.38 (95% CI 0.13-0.68) in head and neck malignancy, 0.38 (95% CI 0.15-0.65) in sarcoma, and 0.53 (95% CI 0.34-0.72) in renal cancer to a high of 93 (95% CI 88-97) in breast cancer, and 100 (95% CI 0.82-100) in pancreatic cancer. Factors associated with an increased risk of MPE included larger amount of fluid drained (p = 0.014) and higher pleural fluid protein (p = 0.002). The only factor associated with decreased risk of MPE if first cytology was negative for malignancy was the presence of contralateral effusion (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Sensitivity of thoracentesis for solid tumors varies significantly depending on the type of tumor and is lowest in those with sarcomas, head and neck malignancies, and renal cell cancers.","PeriodicalId":306175,"journal":{"name":"Karger Kompass Pneumologie","volume":"15 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133001957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) offer an alternative to talc pleurodesis in recurrent effusion, especially in patients wishing to avoid hospitalization. Two randomized trials have demonstrated reduced time in hospital using IPCs versus talc pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusion (MPE). However, the impact of IPCs on hospital services and patients has not been well studied. Objectives: To analyze long-term outcomes of IPCs and understand the hospital burden in terms of requirement for hospital visits and contacts with healthcare, while the IPC was in situ. Methods: IPC insertions in a tertiary pleural center were analyzed retrospectively. Reviews of patients with IPCs in situ considered «additional» to routine clinical follow-up were defined pre-hoc. Results: A total of 202 cases were analyzed: 89.6% MPE group (n = 181) and 10.4% non-MPE group (n = 21). There were a median 3.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 3) and 2.0 (IQR 2) ipsilateral pleural procedures prior to each IPC insertion in non-MPE and MPE groups, respectively (p = 0.26), and a mean 1.3 (SD 1.7) planned IPC-related outpatient follow-up visits per patient. There were 2 (9.5%) and 14 (7.7%) IPC-related infections in non-MPE and MPE groups, respectively. Four (19.0%) and 44 (24.3%) patients required additional IPC-related reviews in non-MPE and MPE groups, respectively (p = 0.6), and these occurred within 250 days post IPC insertion. Conclusions: Although IPCs decrease initial length of hospital stay compared to talc pleurodesis via chest drain, IPCs are associated with significant hospital-visit burden, in addition to planned visits and regular home IPC drainages. IPC-using services need to be prepared for this additional work to run an IPC service effectively.
{"title":"Belastung von Patienten und Gesundheitssystem durch Pleuraverweildrainage zur Versorgung chronischer Pleuraergüsse","authors":"A. Kempa","doi":"10.1159/000497830","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000497830","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) offer an alternative to talc pleurodesis in recurrent effusion, especially in patients wishing to avoid hospitalization. Two randomized trials have demonstrated reduced time in hospital using IPCs versus talc pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusion (MPE). However, the impact of IPCs on hospital services and patients has not been well studied. Objectives: To analyze long-term outcomes of IPCs and understand the hospital burden in terms of requirement for hospital visits and contacts with healthcare, while the IPC was in situ. Methods: IPC insertions in a tertiary pleural center were analyzed retrospectively. Reviews of patients with IPCs in situ considered «additional» to routine clinical follow-up were defined pre-hoc. Results: A total of 202 cases were analyzed: 89.6% MPE group (n = 181) and 10.4% non-MPE group (n = 21). There were a median 3.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 3) and 2.0 (IQR 2) ipsilateral pleural procedures prior to each IPC insertion in non-MPE and MPE groups, respectively (p = 0.26), and a mean 1.3 (SD 1.7) planned IPC-related outpatient follow-up visits per patient. There were 2 (9.5%) and 14 (7.7%) IPC-related infections in non-MPE and MPE groups, respectively. Four (19.0%) and 44 (24.3%) patients required additional IPC-related reviews in non-MPE and MPE groups, respectively (p = 0.6), and these occurred within 250 days post IPC insertion. Conclusions: Although IPCs decrease initial length of hospital stay compared to talc pleurodesis via chest drain, IPCs are associated with significant hospital-visit burden, in addition to planned visits and regular home IPC drainages. IPC-using services need to be prepared for this additional work to run an IPC service effectively.","PeriodicalId":306175,"journal":{"name":"Karger Kompass Pneumologie","volume":"69 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130524567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: In exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, administration of high concentrations of oxygen may cause hypercapnia and increase mortality compared with oxygen titrated, if required, to achieve an oxygen saturation of 88-92%. Optimally titrated oxygen regimens require two components: titrated supplemental oxygen to achieve the target oxygen saturation and, if required, bronchodilators delivered by air-driven nebulisation. The effect of repeated air vs oxygen-driven bronchodilator nebulisation in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is unknown. We aimed to compare the effects of air versus oxygen-driven bronchodilator nebulisation on arterial carbon dioxide tension in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: A parallel group double-blind randomised controlled trial in 90 hospital in-patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD. Participants were randomised to receive two 2.5 mg salbutamol nebulisers, both driven by air or oxygen at 8 L/min, each delivered over 15 min with a 5 min interval in-between. The primary outcome measure was the transcutaneous partial pressure of carbon dioxide at the end of the second nebulisation (35 min). The primary analysis used a mixed linear model with fixed effects of the baseline PtCO2, time, the randomised intervention, and a time by intervention interaction term; to estimate the difference between randomised treatments at 35 min. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. Results: Oxygen-driven nebulisation was terminated in one participant after 27 min when the PtCO2 rose by > 10 mmHg, a predefined safety criterion. The mean (standard deviation) change in PtCO2 at 35 min was 3.4 (1.9) mmHg and 0.1 (1.4) mmHg in the oxygen and air groups respectively, difference (95% confidence interval) 3.3 mmHg (2.7 to 3.9), p < 0.001. The proportion of patients with a PtCO2 change ≥4 mmHg during the intervention was 18/45 (40%) and 0/44 (0%) for oxygen and air groups respectively. Conclusions: Oxygen-driven nebulisation leads to an increase in PtCO2 in exacerbations of COPD. We propose that airdriven bronchodilator nebulisation is preferable to oxygen-driven nebulisation in exacerbations of COPD. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number ACTRN12615000389505. Registration confirmed on 28/4/15.
{"title":"Bronchodilitator-Verneblung mit Raumluft oder Sauerstoff bei akuter Luftnot von COPD-Patienten","authors":"P. Haidl","doi":"10.1159/000497793","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000497793","url":null,"abstract":"Background: In exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, administration of high concentrations of oxygen may cause hypercapnia and increase mortality compared with oxygen titrated, if required, to achieve an oxygen saturation of 88-92%. Optimally titrated oxygen regimens require two components: titrated supplemental oxygen to achieve the target oxygen saturation and, if required, bronchodilators delivered by air-driven nebulisation. The effect of repeated air vs oxygen-driven bronchodilator nebulisation in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is unknown. We aimed to compare the effects of air versus oxygen-driven bronchodilator nebulisation on arterial carbon dioxide tension in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: A parallel group double-blind randomised controlled trial in 90 hospital in-patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD. Participants were randomised to receive two 2.5 mg salbutamol nebulisers, both driven by air or oxygen at 8 L/min, each delivered over 15 min with a 5 min interval in-between. The primary outcome measure was the transcutaneous partial pressure of carbon dioxide at the end of the second nebulisation (35 min). The primary analysis used a mixed linear model with fixed effects of the baseline PtCO2, time, the randomised intervention, and a time by intervention interaction term; to estimate the difference between randomised treatments at 35 min. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. Results: Oxygen-driven nebulisation was terminated in one participant after 27 min when the PtCO2 rose by > 10 mmHg, a predefined safety criterion. The mean (standard deviation) change in PtCO2 at 35 min was 3.4 (1.9) mmHg and 0.1 (1.4) mmHg in the oxygen and air groups respectively, difference (95% confidence interval) 3.3 mmHg (2.7 to 3.9), p < 0.001. The proportion of patients with a PtCO2 change ≥4 mmHg during the intervention was 18/45 (40%) and 0/44 (0%) for oxygen and air groups respectively. Conclusions: Oxygen-driven nebulisation leads to an increase in PtCO2 in exacerbations of COPD. We propose that airdriven bronchodilator nebulisation is preferable to oxygen-driven nebulisation in exacerbations of COPD. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number ACTRN12615000389505. Registration confirmed on 28/4/15.","PeriodicalId":306175,"journal":{"name":"Karger Kompass Pneumologie","volume":"29 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131441099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Lung Cancer is occasionally observed in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). We sought to describe the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of lung cancer for patients with IPF and other interstitial lung disease (ILD) using institutional and statewide data registries. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of IPF and non-IPF ILD patients from the ILD center registry, to compare with lung cancer registries at the University of Pittsburgh as well as with population data of lung cancer obtained from Pennsylvania Department of Health between 2000 and 2015. Results: Among 1108 IPF patients, 31 patients were identified with IPF and lung cancer. The age-adjusted standard incidence ratio of lung cancer was 3.34 (with IPF) and 2.3 (with non-IPF ILD) (between-group Hazard ratio = 1.4, p = 0.3). Lung cancer worsened the mortality of IPF (p < 0.001). Lung cancer with IPF had higher mortality compared to lung cancer in non-IPF ILD (Hazard ratio = 6.2, p = 0.001). Lung cancer among IPF was characterized by a predilection for lower lobes (63% vs. 26% in non-IPF lung cancer, p < 0.001) and by squamous cell histology (41% vs. 29%, p = 0.07). Increased incidence of lung cancer was observed among single lung transplant (SLT) recipients for IPF (13 out of 97, 13.4%), with increased mortality compared to SLT for IPF without lung cancer (p = 0.028) during observational period. Conclusions: Lung cancer is approximately 3.34 times more frequently diagnosed in IPF patients compared to general population, and associated with worse prognosis compared with IPF without lung cancer, with squamous cell carcinoma and lower lobe predilection. The causality between non-smoking IPF patients and lung cancer is to be determined.
{"title":"Merkmale von Lungenkrebs bei Patienten mit idiopathischer Lungenfibrose und interstitieller Lungenerkrankung","authors":"F. Drakopanagiotakis, A. Günther","doi":"10.1159/000499094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000499094","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Lung Cancer is occasionally observed in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). We sought to describe the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of lung cancer for patients with IPF and other interstitial lung disease (ILD) using institutional and statewide data registries. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of IPF and non-IPF ILD patients from the ILD center registry, to compare with lung cancer registries at the University of Pittsburgh as well as with population data of lung cancer obtained from Pennsylvania Department of Health between 2000 and 2015. Results: Among 1108 IPF patients, 31 patients were identified with IPF and lung cancer. The age-adjusted standard incidence ratio of lung cancer was 3.34 (with IPF) and 2.3 (with non-IPF ILD) (between-group Hazard ratio = 1.4, p = 0.3). Lung cancer worsened the mortality of IPF (p < 0.001). Lung cancer with IPF had higher mortality compared to lung cancer in non-IPF ILD (Hazard ratio = 6.2, p = 0.001). Lung cancer among IPF was characterized by a predilection for lower lobes (63% vs. 26% in non-IPF lung cancer, p < 0.001) and by squamous cell histology (41% vs. 29%, p = 0.07). Increased incidence of lung cancer was observed among single lung transplant (SLT) recipients for IPF (13 out of 97, 13.4%), with increased mortality compared to SLT for IPF without lung cancer (p = 0.028) during observational period. Conclusions: Lung cancer is approximately 3.34 times more frequently diagnosed in IPF patients compared to general population, and associated with worse prognosis compared with IPF without lung cancer, with squamous cell carcinoma and lower lobe predilection. The causality between non-smoking IPF patients and lung cancer is to be determined.","PeriodicalId":306175,"journal":{"name":"Karger Kompass Pneumologie","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114216024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: There is a general notion that stressful life events may cause mental and physical health problems. Objectives: We aimed to describe stressful life events reported by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to assess their impact on health outcomes and behaviors. Methods: Two hundred and sixty-six primary care patients who participated in the ICE COLD ERIC cohort study were asked to document any stressful life events in the past 3 years. We assessed the before-after (the event) changes for symptoms of depression and anxiety, health status, dyspnea-related quality of life, exacerbations, cigarette use, and physical activity. We used linear regression analysis to estimate the crude and adjusted magnitude of the before-after changes. Results: About 41% (110/266) of patients reported the experience of any stressful life events and «death of relatives/important persons» was most common (31%). After accounting for age, sex, living status, lung function, and anxiety/depression status at baseline, experiencing any stressful life events was associated with a 0.9-point increase on the depression scale (95% CI 0.3 to 1.4), a 0.8-point increase on the anxiety scale (95% CI 0.3 to 1.3), and a 0.8-point decrease in the physical activity score (95% CI -1.6 to 0). Conclusions: Experiencing stressful life events was associated with a small to moderate increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety in COPD, but no discernable effect was found for other physical outcomes. However, confirmation of these results in other COPD cohorts and identification of patients particularly vulnerable to stressful life events are needed.
背景:人们普遍认为,生活中的压力事件可能会导致精神和身体健康问题。目的:我们旨在描述慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者报告的压力生活事件,并评估其对健康结果和行为的影响。方法:266名参加ICE COLD ERIC队列研究的初级保健患者被要求记录过去3年的任何压力生活事件。我们评估了事件前后抑郁和焦虑症状、健康状况、呼吸困难相关的生活质量、恶化、吸烟和身体活动的变化。我们使用线性回归分析来估计前后变化的原始和调整幅度。结果:约41%(110/266)的患者报告有任何压力生活事件的经历,其中“亲属/重要人物死亡”最常见(31%)。在考虑了年龄、性别、生活状况、肺功能和基线时的焦虑/抑郁状态后,经历任何有压力的生活事件与抑郁量表增加0.9分(95% CI 0.3至1.4)、焦虑量表增加0.8分(95% CI 0.3至1.3)和身体活动评分降低0.8分(95% CI -1.6至0)相关。经历有压力的生活事件与COPD患者抑郁和焦虑症状的轻微至中度增加有关,但对其他身体结果没有明显的影响。然而,需要在其他COPD队列中确认这些结果,并确定特别容易受到压力生活事件影响的患者。
{"title":"Psyche und Physis können wir nicht trennen, selbst wenn wir es wollten - zum Einfluss belastender Lebensereignisse auf COPD-Patienten","authors":"M. Spielmanns","doi":"10.1159/000497792","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000497792","url":null,"abstract":"Background: There is a general notion that stressful life events may cause mental and physical health problems. Objectives: We aimed to describe stressful life events reported by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to assess their impact on health outcomes and behaviors. Methods: Two hundred and sixty-six primary care patients who participated in the ICE COLD ERIC cohort study were asked to document any stressful life events in the past 3 years. We assessed the before-after (the event) changes for symptoms of depression and anxiety, health status, dyspnea-related quality of life, exacerbations, cigarette use, and physical activity. We used linear regression analysis to estimate the crude and adjusted magnitude of the before-after changes. Results: About 41% (110/266) of patients reported the experience of any stressful life events and «death of relatives/important persons» was most common (31%). After accounting for age, sex, living status, lung function, and anxiety/depression status at baseline, experiencing any stressful life events was associated with a 0.9-point increase on the depression scale (95% CI 0.3 to 1.4), a 0.8-point increase on the anxiety scale (95% CI 0.3 to 1.3), and a 0.8-point decrease in the physical activity score (95% CI -1.6 to 0). Conclusions: Experiencing stressful life events was associated with a small to moderate increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety in COPD, but no discernable effect was found for other physical outcomes. However, confirmation of these results in other COPD cohorts and identification of patients particularly vulnerable to stressful life events are needed.","PeriodicalId":306175,"journal":{"name":"Karger Kompass Pneumologie","volume":"70 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127035062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ambrosia artemisiifolia, also known as common or short ragweed, is an invasive annual flowering herbaceous plant that has its origin in North America. Nowadays, ragweed can be found in many areas worldwide. Ragweed pollen is known for its high potential to cause type I allergic reactions in late summer and autumn and represents a major health problem in America and several countries in Europe. Climate change and urbanization, as well as long distance transport capacity, enhance the spread of ragweed pollen. Therefore ragweed is becoming domestic in non-invaded areas which in turn will increase the sensitization rate. So far 11 ragweed allergens have been described and, according to IgE reactivity, Amb a 1 and Amb a 11 seem to be major allergens. Sensitization rates of the other allergens vary between 10 and 50%. Most of the allergens have already been recombinantly produced, but most of them have not been characterized regarding their allergenic activity, therefore no conclusion on the clinical relevance of all the allergens can be made, which is important and necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Pharmacotherapy is the most common treatment for ragweed pollen allergy but fails to impact on the course of allergy. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only causative and disease-modifying treatment of allergy with long-lasting effects, but currently it is based on the administration of ragweed pollen extract or Amb a 1 only. In order to improve ragweed pollen AIT, new strategies are required with higher efficacy and safety.
{"title":"Pollenallergie gegen Ambrosia: Belastungen, Merkmale und Umgang mit einem importierten Allergieverursacher in Europa","authors":"C. Traidl‐Hoffmann","doi":"10.1159/000497001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000497001","url":null,"abstract":"Ambrosia artemisiifolia, also known as common or short ragweed, is an invasive annual flowering herbaceous plant that has its origin in North America. Nowadays, ragweed can be found in many areas worldwide. Ragweed pollen is known for its high potential to cause type I allergic reactions in late summer and autumn and represents a major health problem in America and several countries in Europe. Climate change and urbanization, as well as long distance transport capacity, enhance the spread of ragweed pollen. Therefore ragweed is becoming domestic in non-invaded areas which in turn will increase the sensitization rate. So far 11 ragweed allergens have been described and, according to IgE reactivity, Amb a 1 and Amb a 11 seem to be major allergens. Sensitization rates of the other allergens vary between 10 and 50%. Most of the allergens have already been recombinantly produced, but most of them have not been characterized regarding their allergenic activity, therefore no conclusion on the clinical relevance of all the allergens can be made, which is important and necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Pharmacotherapy is the most common treatment for ragweed pollen allergy but fails to impact on the course of allergy. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only causative and disease-modifying treatment of allergy with long-lasting effects, but currently it is based on the administration of ragweed pollen extract or Amb a 1 only. In order to improve ragweed pollen AIT, new strategies are required with higher efficacy and safety.","PeriodicalId":306175,"journal":{"name":"Karger Kompass Pneumologie","volume":"13 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129534003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}