Long-Term Omalizumab in Elderly Patients with Chronic Urticaria: Is It a Safe Therapy?

Background: Biologics have revolutionized the treatment of many diseases. In this regard, omalizumab (OMA), an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, is the recommended therapeutic option for patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) refractory to second-generation H1-antihistamines. Several studies confirm the efficacy and safety of the drug.

Safety of biological therapy in elderly patients with severe asthma.

Objective: To assess the safety of biological therapy for severe T2 asthma (omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab and reslizumab) under real-life conditions in elderly patients older than 70 years.

Methods: Retrospective data collection including clinical characteristics, comorbidities, treatment, disease control and adverse events (AE) of all patients with severe asthma on biological therapy older than 70 years seen in the Severe Asthma Unit of our hospital.

Results: Of 147 patients with severe asthma being treated with biologics, 21 patients older than 70 years were included.

Predictors of asthma relapse in patients who attended an emergency department.

Background: Patients with asthma exacerbations and frequent relapses that require admission to the emergency department (ED) often have more severe disease, worse quality of life, and higher use of health care resources.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify potential predictors of relapse after patients are treated in an ED for an asthma exacerbation.

Methods: A retrospective, noninterventional cohort study was conducted in adult patients who attended the ED of a tertiary hospital in 2014 for an asthma exacerbation.

Asthma Exacerbations in a Tertiary Hospital: Clinical Features, Triggers, and Risk Factors for Hospitalization.

Background: The risk factors for asthma exacerbations are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients who experience asthma exacerbations. We also assessed potential triggers of exacerbations and possible predictors of hospitalization.

Nutritional risks in the Spanish population: results of the eVe study.

Objective: To determine the vitamin status of different groups within the Spanish population.

Design: Pooled analysis of cross-sectional population nutritional regional studies and meta-analysis of smaller studies in population subgroups performed in Spain between 1990 and 1999.

Subjects: In total, 10 208 participants in eight random population studies aged 25-60 y and participants in 76 studies included in the meta-analysis.

Influence of apolipoprotein E polymorphism on plasma vitamin A and vitamin E levels.

Background: Plasma concentrations of vitamins A and E are positively correlated with those of concurrent lipids and, on the other hand, lipid levels are influenced by apolipoprotein E polymorphism. Therefore, the effect of this polymorphism on both vitamins was analysed in an adult population.

Materials And Methods: Subjects were recruited from a working population.

Fortified foods. Criteria for vitamin supplementation in Spain.

Objective: To review and analyse criteria for vitamin supplementation and fortification in Spain.

Design: Systematic review of scientific literature and simulation analysis of food fortification.

Methods: A simulation analysis using a fortified beverage was performed in a random sample of 2855 children aged 2 to 24 years in Spain.

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in men and women from a Spanish population: allele frequencies and influence on plasma lipids and apolipoproteins.

Unlabelled: The apolipoprotein (apo) E phenotype and its influence on plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels were determined in men and women from a working population of Madrid, Spain. The relative frequencies of alleles epsilon(2), epsilon(3) and epsilon(4) for the study population (n=614) were 0.080, 0.

Cholesteryl ester transfer activity in lipoprotein lipase deficiency and other primary hypertriglyceridemias.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity was measured in d > 1.21 g/ml plasma from hypertriglyceridemic patients and compared with normolipidemic subjects. The assay consisted in measuring the specific transfer of [3H]cholesteryl oleate from a prelabelled, apo E-poor HDL fraction to VLDL after incubation at 37 degrees C in the presence of the d > 1.