Do clinicians understand the size of treatment effects? A randomized survey across 8 countries.

Background: Meta-analyses of continuous outcomes typically provide enough information for decision-makers to evaluate the extent to which chance can explain apparent differences between interventions. The interpretation of the magnitude of these differences - from trivial to large - can, however, be challenging. We investigated clinicians' understanding and perceptions of usefulness of 6 statistical formats for presenting continuous outcomes from meta-analyses (standardized mean difference, minimal important difference units, mean difference in natural units, ratio of means, relative risk and risk difference).

Cross-Sectional Validation of a Quality of Life Questionnaire in Spanish for Patients Allergic to Hymenoptera Venom.

Introduction And Objectives: The first quality of life questionnaire for Vespula-allergic patients (Vespid Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire [VQLQ) was developed in 2002. Our objective was to perform the cross-sectional validation of the Spanish version of this questionnaire.

Patients And Methods: Using the original English-language version of the VQLQ as a starting point, the Spanish translation and cultural adaptation were performed and the first Spanish version was backtranslated into English and discussed with the authors of the original version.

Prevalence of asthma and severity of allergic rhinitis comparing 2 perennial allergens: house dust mites and Parietaria judaica pollen.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an increasingly prevalent worldwide disease that has a considerable impact on quality of life and health care costs. Asthma and AR may be part of the same disease, with AR leading to an increased risk of asthma.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of asthma in patients with AR due to house dust mites (HDMs) or Parietaria judaica and analyze the characteristics of asthma and AR in each group.

Medical students' perceptions and attitudes about family practice: a qualitative research synthesis.

Background: During the last decade medical students from most Western countries have shown little interest in family practice. Understanding the factors that influence medical students to choose family medicine is crucial.

Objective: To systematically review and synthesize published evidence about medical students' attitudes and perceptions towards family practice.

Swimming pool contact dermatitis caused by 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin.

Background: Bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (BCDMH) is a chemical used as a disinfectant for recreational water. BCDMH was described as being responsible for an epidemic of irritant contact dermatitis in the UK (1983), and its sensitizing capacity was also discussed.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess whether BCDMH used to disinfect swimming pools and spas can cause allergic contact dermatitis among its users.

Kounis syndrome: report of 5 cases.

Kounis syndrome has been defined as an acute coronary syndrome that manifests as unstable vasospastic or nonvasospastic angina, and even as acute myocardial infarction. It is triggered by the release of inflammatory mediators following an allergic insult. We report 5 patients attended at our hospital between January 2005 and May 2008 who were diagnosed with unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction-according to analytical parameters, electrocardiographic abnormalities, and/or coronary angiography--in the context of an anaphylactic episode.

[Soybean hull unloading in Tarragona (Spain) and asthma outbreak risk].

Objectives: From 2007 to 2008, 215,000 tons of soybean hull were unloaded in the Port of Tarragona. Soybean hull was identified as the etiologic agent causing bronchial asthma outbreaks. The aim of the present study was to identify the characteristics of soybean unloading, soybean allergen dispersion, and the population risk.

Oestrogen-dependent hereditary angio-oedema with normal C1 inhibitor: description of six new cases and review of pathogenic mechanisms and treatment.

Background: Hereditary angio-oedema (HAE) is a rare condition in which there is a deficiency in the quantity or activity of C1 inhibitor (C1INH). Recently, an additional type of HAE with no alterations in the levels or the function of C1INH has been reported. It is defined as HAE with normal C1INH, and named type III HAE or oestrogen-dependent HAE.