Systemic allergic reaction and diffuse bone pain after exposure to a preparation of betamethasone.

Allergic reactions to corticosteroids are unexpected as they seem to contradict their pharmacodynamic action. Nevertheless, they are not infrequent, with an estimated incidence of up to 4% for cutaneous reactions. Systemic reactions are rarely reported, but their incidence might be underestimated.

Safety and efficacy of specific immunotherapy with standardized allergenic extracts adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide.

Specific immunotherapy (SIT) with standardized allergenic extracts is the only specific treatment of allergic patients. In order to evaluate the safety, side effects, and efficacy of SIT with standardized extracts adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide manufactured by Stallergènes S.A.

Validation of questionnaire-based response criteria of treatment efficacy in the fibromyalgia syndrome.

Objective: To compare the validity of self-reported questionnaires as response criteria of treatment efficacy in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Method: At the beginning of the treatment period, 70 fibromyalgia patients, randomly allocated to electro-acupuncture or placebo, underwent a clinical evaluation by rheumatologists and answered 1) a generic quality of life questionnaire--the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB), 2) a specific function and symptom questionnaire, and 3) a pain questionnaire--the Regional Pain Score (RPS). The same evaluation was repeated at the end of the treatment period.

Electroacupuncture in fibromyalgia: results of a controlled trial.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of electroacupuncture in patients with fibromyalgia, a syndrome of unknown origin causing diffuse musculoskeletal pain.

Design: Three weeks' randomised study with blinded patients and evaluating physician.

Setting: University divisions of physical medicine and rehabilitation and rheumatology, Geneva.

Comparative analysis of lyophilized fresh fruits and vegetables with commercial extracts for skin testing of patients with food allergy.

Most allergic reactions to fruits and vegetables are immediate IgE-mediated reactions following either contact or ingestion. In such problems, the practice of skin tests represents an important diagnostic tool. However, we often observe a discordance between the clinic and the results of the skin tests performed with commercial glycerinated extracts.