Japanese Journal of Allergology最新文献

A 2-year-old, male patient presented with an 18-month history of scattered, brown macules and nodules up to 2 cm in size on his trunk and extremities. These macules were accompanied by pruritus and were positive for Darier's sign. A skin biopsy of a brown macule on the left thigh revealed a dense accumulation of CD117-positive, round or oval cells with amphophilic cytoplasm within the upper to middle dermis. The patient was otherwise healthy and had normal laboratory and imaging test results. Sequence analysis of genomic DNA from a skin biopsy demonstrated the presence of an Asp419del mutation in exon 8 of the KIT gene. Based on these findings, maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis (MPCM) was diagnosed. The patient received H 1-antihistamine. Although the pruritus resolved, the brown macules remained for one year after the initial treatment. To the best of our knowledge, only three cases of cutaneous mastocytosis (CM) with an Asp419del mutation, including the present case, have been reported in the Japanese literature to date; moreover, while the previous two cases were of DCM, the present case was the first instance of MPCM. Normally, the symptoms of childhood-onset MPCM are dormant until puberty. However, a recent study reported that many MPCM patients may experience persistent or exacerbated symptoms. The present study therefore evaluated 53 Japanese cases of childhood onset MPCM with a KIT gene mutation and discussed the patients' clinical outcomes.

Objective: No questionnaire aimed at evaluating the quality of life (QOL) of children with food allergies has been developed in Japan. Therefore, this study was aimed at developing a Japanese version of a QOL questionnaire for children with food allergies to be responded to by their parents.

Methods: A 59-question primary questionnaire was developed for parents of children aged 0 to 15 years who had food allergies. Responses to the primary questionnaire were collected, and question items were reduced using factor analysis. Then, a secondary questionnaire consisting of nine questions was developed. The secondary questionnaire, the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire - Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF), and the parent-reported questionnaire on health-related quality of life in children and adolescents (KINDL) were administered to parents of children aged 3 to 15 years who had food allergies.

Results: Overall, 342 parents completed all questionnaires. The QOL scores of the secondary questionnaire were significantly correlated to those of the FAQLQ-PF (r=0.765) and weakly correlated to those of the KINDL (r=-0.358). In addition, QOL scores were significantly worse in patients with a history of anaphylaxis, who were prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector, and who were allergic to hen's eggs, cow milk, or wheat.

Conclusion: We were able to develop a parent-reported validated Japanese version of the QOL questionnaire for children with food allergies.

Background: In the enhancement of allergy care involving multidisciplinary and multiple medical departments, there is a perceived need for education that targets not only specialists but also non-specialists. However, research on the need for and methods of such education remains inadequate.

Objective: To design a remote allergy care education program for all medical practitioners and to validate its necessity and utility.

Methods: The Empowering Next Generation Allergist/immunologist toward Global Excellence Task Force (ENGAGE-TF), supported by the Japanese Society of Allergology, initiated a virtual educational program called 'Outreach Lectures' in collaboration with Keio University and Fukui University. This initiative was widely promoted through social media and various institutions, and a survey was conducted through its mailing list.

Results: 1139 responses were obtained. More than half were physicians from non-allergy specialties, representing a diverse range of healthcare professions. Over 70% expressed being 'very satisfied,' and over 60% found the difficulty level 'appropriate.' Free-form feedback revealed differences in learning focus based on profession and learning approach based on years of experience.

Conclusion: The high participation rate (90%) of non-specialist physicians underscores the demand for addressing allergic conditions in primary care. The effectiveness of virtual / recurrent education, particularly for healthcare professionals with over 11 years of experience, was implied. Further follow-up investigation focusing on quantitative and objective assessment of educational effectiveness is indispensable.